U.S. Probes Solar Imports from India, Indonesia & Laos

The Global Clean Energy Transition: Latest Developments and Strategic Shifts (September 2025)

1. Solar Energy: Policy Shifts and Manufacturing Expansion

U.S. Solar Growth Amid Trade Investigations

The U.S. solar industry added a record 18 GW of new capacity in H1 2025, accounting for 82% of all new power generation. However, policy headwinds—including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1) and executive actions—threaten future growth. SEIA and Wood Mackenzie project a potential loss of 44 GW of solar deployment by 2030 (18% decline) if current policies persist. Notably, 77% of 2025 installations occurred in Trump-won states like Texas and Florida .

Trade Investigations
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is investigating solar imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos over allegations of tariff evasion. Manufacturers allegedly relocated operations to these countries to avoid duties previously imposed on Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam .

Global Manufacturing Shifts

• India: Joint Solar launched a 300 MW solar panel manufacturing facility in Ghaziabad, supporting India’s "Make in India" initiative and aiming to expand to 3,000 retail touchpoints by 2027 .

• Japan: Toyo Solar shipped 1.6 GW of PV cells in H1 2025, shifting focus to the U.S. market via Ethiopian and Vietnamese production to avoid tariffs .

2. Wind Energy: Europe’s Seasonal Transition and Capacity Goals

Seasonal Shift from Solar to Wind
With the Northern Hemisphere’s solar peak passing, Europe’s wind output is expected to dominate clean energy growth for the rest of 2025. Wind generation in H1 2025 was 6% lower than 2024 due to "wind droughts," but forecasts predict a sharp rise in output through autumn and winter .

Capacity and Investment Trends
Europe installed 6.8 GW of new wind capacity in H1 2025 (89% onshore). The EU aims for 425 GW by 2030 but is on track to reach only 344 GW. Investment surged, with €34 billion in Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) in H1 2025—exceeding all of 2024 .

3. Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: Infrastructure and Innovation

Manufacturing Expansion
The hydrogen fuel cell market is accelerating, driven by global decarbonization goals. IMARC Group’s 2025 report highlights the need for detailed planning in manufacturing setup, including raw material procurement, technology specifications, and financial modeling .

Geothermal Hydrogen Pilot
Indonesia launched a pilot project to produce green hydrogen using geothermal energy in Lampung. State-owned Pertamina will use excess geothermal power for electrolysis, aiming to scale the technology nationwide .

4. Energy Storage and EVs: Safety and Market Dynamics

EV Safety Innovations
BASF unveiled GLYSANTIN® ELECTRIFIED® coolants for EVs, complying with China’s new GB 29743.2-2025 standard. These coolants reduce electrical conductivity, minimizing hydrogen generation and battery failure risks .

EV Policy Shifts
Singapore extended its Vehicular Emissions Scheme to 2027, now offering rebates only for fully electric vehicles (excluding hybrids) and higher surcharges for polluting vehicles .

5. Global Policy and NDC Commitments

NDC Energy Tracker Findings
As of September 2025, 94% of submitted NDCs include support for renewable energy or efficiency goals, but no country has a comprehensive plan aligning with all COP28 energy targets. Key gaps include:

• 72% of NDCs lack quantified targets for oil/gas phase-down.

• 56% of NDCs (80% from emerging economies) depend on international finance .

Regional Strategies

• Australia: Focused on exporting solar power (e.g., SunCable project) due to limited private investment domestically .

• Mexico: Leverages government-controlled energy markets to export solar hardware, with Juárez being Latin America’s largest solar manufacturing hub .

Conclusion: Challenges and Opportunities

The clean energy sector is navigating a complex landscape of policy uncertainty, supply chain shifts, and technological innovation. While solar and wind capacity continue growing, trade investigations and regulatory gaps threaten long-term targets. Key priorities include:

1. Policy Stability: Clear regulations are needed to unlock private investment, as seen in the U.S. and Australia .

2. Global Collaboration: Emerging economies require financial support to meet NDC goals .

3. Technology Integration: Innovations like geothermal hydrogen and advanced EV cooling systems are critical for decarbonization .

The path to a sustainable future hinges on aligning policy, investment, and innovation—a challenge that demands urgent global cooperation.

Data sourced from industry reports and news updates as of September 10, 2025.