Find HS Code and trade information for solar power

Solar Power

Solar power is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP), or through various means of harnessing solar thermal energy.

Materials & Technologies

• Photovoltaics (PV): This is the most common solar power technology. PV cells are made of semiconductor materials – most commonly silicon – that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. When sunlight strikes these cells, electrons are freed, generating an electric current.
  • Monocrystalline silicon: Highest efficiency, most expensive. Characterized by a uniform dark appearance.
  • Polycrystalline silicon: Lower efficiency than monocrystalline, less expensive. Has a speckled, blue appearance.
  • Thin-film solar cells: Made by depositing thin layers of semiconductor materials (e.g., cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium selenide) onto substrates like glass or flexible materials. Lower efficiency but more versatile and potentially lower cost.
• Concentrated Solar Power (CSP): Uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area. The concentrated heat is then used to generate steam, which drives a turbine to produce electricity.
  • Parabolic trough systems: Use curved, trough-shaped mirrors to focus sunlight onto a receiver tube containing a heat transfer fluid.
  • Solar power towers: Utilize a field of mirrors (heliostats) to focus sunlight onto a central receiver atop a tower.
  • Dish/engine systems: Use parabolic dish-shaped mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver connected to a Stirling engine.
• Solar Thermal: Uses sunlight to heat water or air directly for various applications.

Purpose & Function

The primary purpose of solar power is to generate electricity. However, it can also be used for:

• Heating: Solar water heating, space heating.
• Cooling: Solar-powered air conditioning (often through absorption chillers).
• Industrial processes: Providing heat for various manufacturing processes.
• Desalination: Producing fresh water from seawater.

Usage Scenarios

• Residential: Rooftop solar panels for powering homes, reducing electricity bills, and providing energy independence.
• Commercial: Solar arrays on businesses and industrial facilities.
• Utility-scale solar farms: Large-scale power plants generating electricity for the grid.
• Remote areas: Providing power to off-grid locations, such as cabins, villages, and communication towers.
• Transportation: Solar-powered vehicles, charging stations.
• Space applications: Powering satellites and spacecraft.

Common Types & Configurations

• Grid-tied systems: Connected to the electrical grid, allowing excess electricity to be sold back to the utility company.
• Off-grid systems: Not connected to the grid, requiring battery storage for electricity during periods of low sunlight.
• Hybrid systems: Combine solar power with other energy sources, such as wind or diesel generators.
• Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV): Solar cells integrated into building materials, such as roofs, facades, and windows.
• Floating solar farms: Solar panels installed on bodies of water.

Solar power typically involves the conversion of sunlight into electricity. This is achieved using photovoltaic cells, which are semiconductor devices. These cells can be assembled into modules or panels, or used individually. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are also relevant as they represent another application of semiconductor technology.

The following HS codes are relevant based on the provided information:

• 8541420010: This HS code covers Semiconductor devices, specifically photosensitive semiconductor devices including photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or made up into panels. This includes crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells of a kind described in statistical note 10 to this chapter. The tax rate is 0.0% base tariff, 0.0% additional tariff, and 20.0% additional tariff after April 2, 2025. The total tax rate is 20.0%.
• 8541430010: This HS code covers Semiconductor devices, specifically photosensitive semiconductor devices including photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panels. This includes crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells of a kind described in statistical note 10 to this chapter. The tax rate is 0.0% base tariff, 0.0% additional tariff, and 20.0% additional tariff after April 2, 2025. The total tax rate is 20.0%.

Regarding both HS codes 8541420010 and 8541430010, please note that the additional tariff will be 20.0% after April 2, 2025. It is important to determine whether the photovoltaic cells are assembled into modules or panels to select the correct HS code.