T1 Energy Secures U.S. Exemption, Builds First-Phase Cell Plant With 2.1 GW Capacity
Key Facts
T1 Energy announced it had secured an exemption from the U.S. Commerce Department relating to polysilicon measures as it continues construction of the first phase of its solar cell plant, with planned capacity of 2.1 GW. The company posted the announcement on its investor relations page under the title "T1 Secures Department of Commerce Section 232 Polysilicon Exemption." The decision falls within a regulatory framework under which the department considers each company's circumstances when ruling on exemption requests. The Commerce Department said in the rule published in the Federal Register that it makes "a separate determination for each applicant, based on the facts specific to the company concerned." The interim rule governing restrictions on the stockpiling of polysilicon and derivative imports runs from September 22 to December 3, 2026.
The U.S. measures include a minimum import price program, under which the presidential proclamation set a floor price for solar cells of $0.22 per watt. The proclamation also provides for a general additional tariff of 15% on imports of polysilicon ingots and covered derivatives. The presidential text described the tariff as "an additional 15% ad valorem duty." The tariff's application includes exceptions specified in the proclamation. The measures thus address both the import price of solar cells and tariffs on covered polysilicon products and derivatives.
On manufacturing supplies, T1 said it has long-term supply agreements with Hemlock Semiconductor and Corning to purchase U.S. polysilicon and wafers. In its first-quarter 2026 earnings announcement, the company described itself as "a major buyer of U.S. polysilicon and wafers through long-term supply agreements." On the sales side, it signed an agreement with Clearway Energy Group to supply 641 MW of solar modules. The announced agreement provides for T1 to supply these modules to Clearway. The contracts announced by the company combine purchases of U.S. solar manufacturing inputs with sales of solar modules to an energy customer.
T1 estimates capital expenditure for the first phase of its Austin plant at about $510 million, according to its second-quarter 2026 earnings announcement. The estimate covers the first phase of the solar cell manufacturing project currently under construction. On the regulatory front, the presidential proclamation set December 4, 2026, as the start date for the minimum import price program and new tariffs. On the company's manufacturing timeline, T1 expects to produce its first solar cells at the Austin plant in the first quarter of 2027. That schedule places the plant's targeted first production after the minimum price and tariff regime for imports takes effect.