太陽能回流美國

美國太陽能製造商 First Solar Inc. 正加速擴張其國內生產規模，以應對進口太陽能零組件所面臨的貿易與政策挑戰。根據該公司10月30日發布的第三季財報，多項潛在政策變化正在為產業帶來壓力，包括美國政府可能對多晶矽元件徵收新的「第232條款」關稅，以及依據8月貿易法院裁決，對部分進口產品追溯課稅的風險。

First Solar Inc. is accelerating its U.S. manufacturing expansion amid growing trade and policy challenges affecting imported solar components. In its third-quarter earnings report released on October 30, the company cited several potential headwinds, including possible new Section 232 tariffs on polysilicon components and retroactive duties following an August trade court ruling - developments that could reshape global solar supply chains.

另一個關鍵變數是美國財政部即將公布的《降低通膨法案》（IRA）相關指引，該文件將明確界定何種太陽能零件符合「美國製造」資格，並影響企業能否取得清潔能源稅收抵免。對於生產據點分布全球的太陽能產業而言，這項政策結果可能重塑供應鏈與投資決策。

Another major uncertainty lies in the Treasury Department’s forthcoming guidance under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which will define what qualifies as “domestic content” and determine the tax credits available to manufacturers. The ruling could significantly influence corporate investment decisions and the geographic layout of clean energy production.

First Solar 執行長馬克‧威德瑪（Mark Widmar）表示，儘管貿易與政策變化為產業帶來挑戰，但也讓公司在市場中展現競爭優勢。

CEO Mark Widmar acknowledged the industrywide challenges but emphasized that the shifting trade landscape has strengthened First Solar’s market position. “While trade and policy developments have introduced new challenges for many in our

「當業界面臨不確定性時，我們以價格穩定與供應確定性，持續與眾不同，」他強調。

Widmar 進一步指出，這些外部壓力印證了公司持續擴張美國製造與強化在地供應鏈的決策方向。

industry, we continue to differentiate ourselves by offering pricing and delivery certainty,” Widmar said. He added that these pressures validate the company’s decision to expand its U.S. operations and strengthen its domestic supply chain.

目前 First Solar 在第三季共生產3.6GW太陽能設備，其中2.5GW來自美國廠區。位於路易斯安那州的新廠已於8月啟用，公司計劃於另一新址新增年產能3.7GW的生產線，持續擴大本土化佈局。Widmar 暗示，隨著東南亞市場面臨更高關稅，公司將進一步增加美國投資，以強化垂直整合優勢。

First Solar produced 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar equipment in the third quarter, including 2.5 GW from U.S. factories. Its new facility in Louisiana began operations in August, and the company plans to add 3.7 GW of annual capacity at a new location to be announced soon. As tariffs increase in Southeast Asian markets, Widmar hinted at further U.S. investment to enhance the company’s vertically integrated model.

除了擴產計畫，First Solar 目前正與英國石油集團（BP）旗下的可再生能源開發商 Lightsource BP 發生法律糾紛。該公司去年終止6.6GW供應合約，被視為石油巨頭縮減再生能源投資的一部分。First Solar 已認列6100萬美元收入，並要求額外3.24億美元損害賠償。

Meanwhile, First Solar is engaged in a legal dispute with BP-backed renewable developer Lightsource BP, which terminated a 6.6-GW supply agreement last year amid broader fossil-fuel retrenchment from renewable projects. The company has already booked $61 million in revenue and is seeking an additional $324 million in damages.

儘管面臨訴訟與貿易壓力，First Solar 仍維持穩健訂單。公司報告指出，截至2030年，累積淨訂單達54.5GW，顯示美國市場需求仍強勁。財務長亞歷山大‧布拉德利（Alexander Bradley）表示，雖然部分訂單因Lightsource BP事件取消，但已有客戶重新下單，顯示市場信心不減。

Despite these challenges, First Solar reported a robust 54.5 GW in net bookings through 2030, underscoring resilient U.S. demand. CFO Alexander Bradley noted that while some cancellations stemmed from the Lightsource BP case, several customers have already rebooked for future delivery.

分析人士指出，在貿易壁壘升高與國內製造獎勵並進的情勢下，First Solar 有望成為美國本土再生能源製造復興的關鍵受益者。這不僅代表供應鏈的重組，也反映出美國能源政策正從全球化轉向戰略性在地化，以確保能源安全與產業韌性。

Analysts say that as trade barriers tighten and domestic manufacturing incentives expand, First Solar is emerging as a major beneficiary of the U.S. clean energy reshoring trend. The company’s strategy underscores a broader policy shift toward onshore energy resilience and industrial self-reliance in the era of green transition.