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Notice2026-18942

Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules From the Lao People's Democratic Republic: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Final Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, in Part

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
September 16, 2026

Issuing agencies

Commerce DepartmentInternational Trade Administration

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules (solar cells), from the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos). The period of investigation (POI) is January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 178 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58638-58642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18942]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-553-004]


Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled 
Into Modules From the Lao People's Democratic Republic: Final 
Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Final Affirmative 
Determination of Critical Circumstances, in Part

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that 
countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters 
of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled 
into modules (solar cells), from the Lao People's Democratic Republic 
(Laos). The period of investigation (POI) is January 1, 2024, through 
December 31, 2024.

DATES: Applicable September 16, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shane Subler or Laurel Smalley, AD/CVD 
Operations, Office VIII, Enforcement and Compliance, International 
Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-6241 and (202) 
482-3456, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 26, 2026, Commerce published the Preliminary 
Determination and invited interested parties to comment.\1\ In 
accordance with section 705(a)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended 
(the Act), and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(4), Commerce aligned the deadline for 
the final determination in this countervailing duty (CVD) with the 
deadline for the final determination in the companion less-than-fair-
value (LTFV) investigation of solar cells from Laos.\2\
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    \1\ See Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not 
Assembled Into Modules from the Lao People's Democratic Republic: 
Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination, 
Preliminary Negative Critical Circumstances Determination, and 
Alignment of Final Determination with Final Antidumping Duty 
Determination, 91 FR 9568 (February 26, 2026) (Preliminary 
Determination), and accompanying Preliminary Decision Memorandum 
(PDM).
    \2\ Id., 91 FR at 9569.
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    For a complete description of the events that followed the 
Preliminary Determination, as well as a full discussion of the issues 
raised by parties for this final determination, see the Issues and 
Decision Memorandum.\3\ The Issues and Decision Memorandum is a public 
document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service 
System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at <a href="https://access.trade.gov">https://access.trade.gov</a>. In addition, a complete version of the Issues and 
Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at <a href="https://access.trade.gov/frnotices">https://access.trade.gov/frnotices</a>.
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    \3\ See Memorandum, ``Issues and Decision Memorandum for the 
Final Affirmative Determination of the Countervailing Duty 
Investigation of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or 
Not Assembled Into Modules from the Lao People's Democratic 
Republic,'' dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this 
notice (Issues and Decision Memorandum).
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Scope of the Investigation

    The products covered by this investigation are solar cells from 
Laos. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, 
see Appendix I.

Scope Comments

    In the Preliminary Scope Memorandum, we set aside a period of time 
for parties to raise issues regarding product coverage (i.e., scope) in 
scope-specific case briefs or other written comments.\4\ We received 
scope case and rebuttal briefs from multiple interested parties. For a 
summary of the product coverage comments and rebuttal responses 
submitted to the record for this final determination, and accompanying 
discussion and analysis of all comments timely received, see the Final 
Scope Memorandum.\5\ In the Final Scope Memorandum, Commerce determined 
that it is not modifying the scope language as it appeared in the 
Initiation Notice.\6\ See Appendix I.
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    \4\ See Memorandum, ``Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations of 
Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled 
into Modules from the Republic of India, the Republic of Indonesia, 
and the Lao People's Democratic Republic: Scope Comments Decision 
Memorandum for the Preliminary Determinations,'' dated April 21, 
2026 (Preliminary Scope Memorandum).
    \5\ See Memorandum, ``Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations of 
Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled 
into Modules from the Republic of India, the Republic of Indonesia, 
and the Lao People's Democratic Republic: Scope Comments Decision 
Memorandum for the Final Determinations,'' dated concurrently with 
this notice (Final Scope Memorandum).
    \6\ See Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not 
Assembled Into Modules, From India, Indonesia, and the Lao People's 
Democratic Republic: Initiation of Countervailing Duty 
Investigations, 90 FR 38745 (August 12, 2025) (Initiation Notice).
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Verification

    As provided in section 782(i) of the Act, in June 2026, Commerce 
conducted verification of the information relied upon in making the 
final determination in this investigation. Specifically, we conducted 
on-site verifications of the subsidy information reported by the 
Government of Laos (GOL) and mandatory respondent Solarspace Technology 
Sole CO LTD (Solarspace Laos).\7\ We used standard verification 
procedures, including an examination of relevant sales and accounting 
records and original source documents provided by the GOL and 
Solarspace Laos.
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    \7\ See Memorandum, ``Verification of the Questionnaire 
Responses of the Government of the Lao People's Democratic 
Republic,'' dated June 23, 2026; see also Memorandum, ``Verification 
of the Questionnaire Responses of Solarspace Technology (Laos) Sole 
Co., Ltd.,'' dated July 15, 2026.
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Analysis of Comments Received

    The subsidy programs under investigation and the issues raised in 
the case and rebuttal briefs submitted by interested parties in this 
investigation are discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum. For 
a list of the issues raised by interested parties and addressed in the 
Issues and Decision Memorandum, see Appendix II to this notice.

Methodology

    Commerce conducted this investigation in accordance with section 
701 of the Act. For each of the subsidy programs found to be 
countervailable, Commerce determines that there is a subsidy, i.e., a 
financial contribution by an ``authority'' that gives rise to a benefit 
to the recipient, and that the subsidy is specific.\8\ For a full 
description of the methodology underlying our final determination, see 
the Issues and Decision Memorandum.
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    \8\ See sections 771(5)(B) and (D) of the Act regarding 
financial contribution; section 771(5)(E) of the Act regarding 
benefit; and section 771(5A) of the Act regarding specificity.
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    In making this final determination, Commerce relied in part on 
facts otherwise available, including with adverse inferences, pursuant 
to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act. For a full discussion of our 
application of adverse facts available, see the ``Use of Facts 
Otherwise Available and Application of Adverse Inferences'' section in 
the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

[[Page 58639]]

Final Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, in Part

    Commerce preliminarily determined, in accordance with section 
703(e)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206(c)(1), that critical 
circumstances did not exist with respect to imports of subject 
merchandise from mandatory respondent Vietnam Sunergy Joint Stock 
Company (VSUN), Solarspace Laos, and all other producers and/or 
exporters not individually examined.\9\
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    \9\ See Preliminary Determination PDM at 5-8.
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    For this final determination, pursuant to section 705(a)(2) of the 
Act and 19 CFR 351.206, we are continuing to find that critical 
circumstances do not exist for Solarspace Laos. However, pursuant to 
section 705(a)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206, we are finding that 
critical circumstances exist with respect to imports from VSUN and all 
other producers and/or exporters. For a full description of the 
methodology, changes to the Preliminary Determination, and the results 
of Commerce's critical circumstances analysis, see the Issues and 
Decision Memorandum.

Changes Since the Preliminary Determination

    Based on our review and analysis of the information received during 
verification and comments received from interested parties, for the 
final determination, we made certain changes to the subsidy rate 
calculations for Solarspace Laos, VSUN, and all other producers and/or 
exporters of subject merchandise. For a discussion of these changes, 
see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

All-Others Rate

    Sections 703(d) and 705(c)(5)(A) of the Act provide that Commerce 
shall determine an estimated all-others rate for companies not 
individually examined. This rate shall be an amount equal to the 
weighted average of the estimated subsidy rates established for those 
companies individually examined, excluding any zero and de minimis 
rates and any rates determined entirely under section 776 of the Act.
    In accordance with section 705(c)(1)(B)(i) of the Act, we 
calculated an individual estimated countervailable subsidy rate for the 
participating mandatory respondent, Solarspace Laos. In addition, we 
have determined a subsidy rate for VSUN entirely under section 
776(b)(1) of the Act.\10\ Section 705(c)(5)(A)(i) of the Act states 
that, for companies not individually investigated, Commerce will 
determine an all-others rate equal to the weighted-average 
countervailable subsidy rates established for exporters and/or 
producers individually investigated, excluding any zero and de minimis 
countervailable subsidy rates, and any rates determined entirely under 
section 776 of the Act. For this final determination, Solarspace Laos's 
subsidy rate is the only rate that is not zero, de minimis, or 
determined entirely under section 776 of the Act. Consequently, we have 
assigned the subsidy rate calculated for Solarspace Laos as the rate 
for all other producers and/or exporters.
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    \10\ See the ``Use of Facts Otherwise Available and Application 
of Adverse Inferences'' section of the Issues and Decision 
Memorandum for additional details.
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Final Determination

    Commerce determines that the following estimated countervailable 
subsidy rates exist:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Subsidy rate
                         Company                            (percent ad
                                                             valorem)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solarspace Technology (Laos) Sole Co. Ltd...............           82.03
Vietnam Sunergy Joint Stock Company.....................        * 153.67
All Others..............................................           82.03
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This rate is based on facts available with adverse inferences.

Disclosure

    Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis 
performed to interested parties in this final determination within five 
days of any public announcement, or if there is no public announcement, 
within five days of the date of the publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

Suspension of Liquidation

    As a result of our Preliminary Determination, and pursuant to 
sections 703(d)(1)(B) and (d)(2) of the Act, Commerce instructed U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect cash deposits and 
suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise as described in 
the scope of the investigation appendix entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after February 26, 2026, the date of 
publication of the Preliminary Determination in the Federal Register. 
In accordance with section 703(d) of the Act, we instructed CBP to 
discontinue the suspension of liquidation of all entries of subject 
merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, on or after June 26, 
2026, the first day provisional measures were no longer in effect, but 
to continue the suspension of liquidation of all entries of subject 
merchandise on or before June 25, 2026.
    With respect to VSUN and all others, section 703(e)(2) of the Act 
provides that, given an affirmative determination of critical 
circumstances, any suspension of liquidation shall apply to 
unliquidated entries of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the later of: (a) the date which 
is 90 days before the date on which the suspension of liquidation was 
first ordered; or (b) the date on which notice of initiation of the 
investigation was published. The Preliminary Determination was 
affirmative with respect to countervailable subsidies received by VSUN 
and all others; however, Commerce preliminarily determined that 
critical circumstances did not exist for VSUN and all others. 
Accordingly, Commerce ordered the suspension of liquidation for VSUN's 
and all others' entries of subject merchandise from Laos on or after 
February 26, 2026, the date of publication of the Preliminary 
Determination in the Federal Register. Therefore, as a result of this 
final affirmative determination of critical circumstances for VSUN and 
all others, pursuant to section 703(e)(2) of the Act, we will now 
instruct CBP to suspend liquidation of all entries of subject 
merchandise from VSUN and all others that were entered, or withdrawn 
from warehouse, for consumption on or after November 28, 2025, which is 
90 days prior to the publication of the Preliminary Determination. 
Because the final determination of critical circumstances for 
Solarspace Laos is negative, the suspension of liquidation requirements 
described in this paragraph do not apply to entries of subject 
merchandise from Solarspace Laos.
    If the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issues a final 
affirmative injury determination, we will issue a countervailing duty 
order, reinstate the suspension of liquidation under section 706(a) of 
the Act, and require a cash deposit of estimated countervailing duties 
for such entries of subject merchandise in the amounts indicated above. 
Pursuant to section 705(c)(2) of the Act, if the ITC determines that 
material injury, or threat of material injury, does not exist, this 
proceeding will be terminated, and all estimated duties deposited, or 
securities posted, as a result of the suspension of liquidation will be 
refunded or canceled.

[[Page 58640]]

ITC Notification

    In accordance with section 705(d) of the Act, Commerce will notify 
the ITC of its final affirmative determination that countervailable 
subsidies are being provided to producers and/or exporters of solar 
cells from Laos. Because the final determination is affirmative, in 
accordance with section 705(b) of the Act, the ITC will determine, 
within 45 days, whether the domestic industry in the United States is 
materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of 
imports of solar cells from Laos. In addition, we are making available 
to the ITC all non-privileged and non-proprietary information related 
to this investigation. We will allow the ITC access to all privileged 
and business proprietary information in our files, provided the ITC 
confirms that it will not disclose such information, either publicly or 
under an administrative protective order (APO), without the written 
consent of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
    If the ITC determines that material injury or threat of material 
injury does not exist, this proceeding will be terminated and all cash 
deposits will be refunded. If the ITC determines that such injury does 
exist, Commerce will issue a countervailing order directing CBP to 
assess, upon further instruction by Commerce, countervailing duties on 
all imports of the subject merchandise that are entered, or withdrawn 
from warehouse, for consumption on or after the effective date of the 
suspension of liquidation, as discussed in the ``Suspension of 
Liquidation'' section, supra.

Administrative Protective Order

    This notice will serve as the only reminder to parties subject to 
an APO of their responsibility concerning the destruction of 
proprietary information disclosed under APO, in accordance with 19 CFR 
351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return/destruction of 
APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby 
requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO 
is a violation which is subject to sanction.

Notification to Interested Parties

    This determination is issued and published pursuant to sections 
705(d) and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.210(c).

    Dated: September 10, 2026.
Christopher Abbott,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the 
non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix I

Scope of the Investigation

    The merchandise covered by this investigation is crystalline 
silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells, and modules, laminates, and 
panels, consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, 
whether or not partially or fully assembled into other products, 
including, but not limited to, modules, laminates, panels and 
building integrated materials.
    This investigation covers crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells 
of thickness equal to or greater than 20 micrometers, having a p/n 
junction formed by any means, whether or not the cell has undergone 
other processing, including, but not limited to, cleaning, etching, 
coating, and/or addition of materials (including, but not limited 
to, metallization and conductor patterns) to collect and forward the 
electricity that is generated by the cell.
    Merchandise under consideration may be described at the time of 
importation as parts for final finished products that are assembled 
after importation, including, but not limited to, modules, 
laminates, panels, building-integrated modules, building integrated 
panels, or other finished goods kits. Such parts that otherwise meet 
the definition of merchandise under consideration are included in 
the scope of this investigation.
    Excluded from the scope of this investigation are thin film 
photovoltaic products produced from amorphous silicon (a-Si), 
cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS).
    Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are 
crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, not exceeding 10,000 mm\2\ 
in surface area, that are permanently integrated into a consumer 
good whose function is other than power generation and that consumes 
the electricity generated by the integrated crystalline silicon 
photovoltaic cell. Where more than one cell is permanently 
integrated into a consumer good, the surface area for purposes of 
this exclusion shall be the total combined surface area of all cells 
that are integrated into the consumer good.
    Additionally, excluded from the scope of this investigation are 
panels with surface area from 3,450 mm\2\ to 33,782 mm\2\ with one 
black wire and one red wire (each of type 22 AWG or 24 AWG not more 
than 206 mm in length when measured from panel extrusion), and not 
exceeding 2.9 volts, 1.1 amps, and 3.19 watts. For the purposes of 
this exclusion, no panel shall contain an internal battery or 
external computer peripheral ports.
    Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are:
    (1) Off grid CSPV panels in rigid form with a glass cover, with 
the following characteristics: (A) a total power output of 100 watts 
or less per panel; (B) a maximum surface area of 8,000 cm\2\ per 
panel; (C) do not include a built-in inverter; (D) must include a 
permanently connected wire that terminates in either an 8 mm male 
barrel connector, or a two-port rectangular connector with two pins 
in square housings of different colors; (E) must include visible 
parallel grid collector metallic wire lines every 1-4 millimeters 
across each solar cell; and (F) must be in individual retail 
packaging (for purposes of this provision, retail packaging 
typically includes graphics, the product name, its description and/
or features, and foam for transport); and
    (2) Off grid CSPV panels without a glass cover, with the 
following characteristics: (A) a total power output of 100 watts or 
less per panel; (B) a maximum surface area of 8,000 cm\2\ per panel; 
(C) do not include a built-in inverter; (D) must include visible 
parallel grid collector metallic wire lines every 1-4 millimeters 
across each solar cell; and (E) each panel is (1) permanently 
integrated into a consumer good; (2) encased in a laminated material 
without stitching, or (3) has all of the following characteristics: 
(i) the panel is encased in sewn fabric with visible stitching, (ii) 
includes a mesh zippered storage pocket, and (iii) includes a 
permanently attached wire that terminates in a female USB-A 
connector.
    In addition, the following CSPV panels are excluded from the 
scope of the investigation: off-grid CSPV panels in rigid form with 
a glass cover, with each of the following physical characteristics, 
whether or not assembled into a fully completed off-grid hydropanel 
whose function is conversion of water vapor into liquid water: (A) a 
total power output of no more than 80 watts per panel; (B) a surface 
area of less than 5,000 square centimeters (cm\2\) per panel; (C) do 
not include a built-in inverter; (D) do not have a frame around the 
edges of the panel; (E) include a clear glass back panel; and (F) 
must include a permanently connected wire that terminates in a 
twoport rectangular connector.
    Additionally excluded from the scope of this investigation are 
off-grid small portable crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels, 
with or without a glass cover, with the following characteristics: 
(1) a total power output of 200 watts or less per panel; (2) a 
maximum surface area of 16,000 cm\2\ per panel; (3) no built-in 
inverter; (4) an integrated handle or a handle attached to the 
package for ease of carry; (5) one or more integrated kickstands for 
easy installation or angle adjustment; and (6) a wire of not less 
than 3 meters either permanently connected or attached to the 
package that terminates in an 8 mm diameter male barrel connector.
    Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are off-grid 
crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels in rigid form with a glass 
cover, with each of the following physical characteristics, whether 
or not assembled into a fully completed off-grid hydropanel whose 
function is conversion of water vapor into liquid water: (A) a total 
power output of no more than 180 watts per panel at 155 degrees 
Celsius; (B) a surface area of less than 16,000 square centimeters 
(cm\2\) per panel; (C) include a keep-out area of approximately 
1,200 cm\2\ around the edges of the panel that does not contain 
solar cells; (D) do not

[[Page 58641]]

include a built-in inverter; (E) do not have a frame around the 
edges of the panel; (F) include a clear glass back panel; (G) must 
include a permanently connected wire that terminates in a two-port 
rounded rectangular, sealed connector; (H) include a thermistor 
installed into the permanently connected wire before the twoport 
connector; and (I) include exposed positive and negative terminals 
at opposite ends of the panel, not enclosed in a junction box.
    Further excluded from the scope of this investigation are:
    (1) Off grid rigid CSPV panels with a glass cover, with the 
following characteristics: (A) a total power output of 200 watts or 
less per panel, (B) a maximum surface area of 10,500 cm\2\ per 
panel, (C) do not include a built-in inverter, (D) must include a 
permanently connected wire that terminates in waterproof connector 
with a cylindrical positive electrode and a rectangular negative 
electrode with the positive and negative electrodes having an 
interlocking structure, (E) must include visible parallel grid 
collector metallic wire lines every 1-4 millimeters across each 
solar cell, and (F) must be in individual retail packaging (for 
purposes of this provision, retail packaging typically includes 
graphics, the product name, its description and/or features); and
    (2) Off-grid small portable crystalline silicon photovoltaic 
panels, with or without a glass cover, with the following 
characteristics: (A) a total power output of 200 watts or less per 
panel, (B) a maximum surface area of 16,000 cm\2\ per panel, (C) no 
built-in inverter, (D) an integrated handle or a handle attached to 
the package for ease of carry, (E) one or more integrated kickstands 
for easy installation or angle adjustment, and (F) a wire either 
permanently connected or attached to the package terminates in 
waterproof connector with a cylindrical positive electrode and a 
rectangular negative electrode with the positive and negative 
electrodes having an interlocking structure.
    Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are:
    (1) Off grid rigid CSPV panels with a glass cover, with the 
following characteristics: (A) a total power output of 200 watts or 
less per panel, (B) a maximum surface area of 10,500 cm\2\ per 
panel, (C) do not include a built-in inverter, (D) must include a 
permanently connected wire that terminates in waterproof connector 
with a cylindrical positive electrode and a rectangular negative 
electrode with the positive and negative electrodes having an 
interlocking structure, (E) must include visible parallel grid 
collector metallic wire lines every 1-4 millimeters across each 
solar cell, and (F) must be in individual retail packaging (for 
purposes of this provision, retail packaging typically includes 
graphics, the product name, its description and/or features); and
    (2) Small off-grid panels with glass cover, with the following 
characteristics: (A) surface area from 3,450 mm\2\ to 33,782 mm\2\, 
(B) with one black wire and one red wire (each of type 22AWG or 28 
AWG not more than 350 mm in length when measured from panel 
extrusion), (C) not exceeding 10 volts, (D) not exceeding 1.1 amps, 
(E) not exceeding 6 watts, and (F) for the purposes of this 
exclusion, no panel shall contain an internal battery or external 
computer peripheral ports.
    Additionally excluded from the scope of this investigation are:
    (1) Off grid rigid CSPV panels with a glass cover, with the 
following characteristics: (A) a total power output of 175 watts or 
less per panel, (B) a maximum surface area of 9,000 cm\2\ per panel, 
(C) do not include a built-in inverter, (D) must include a 
permanently connected wire that terminates in waterproof connector 
with a cylindrical positive electrode and a rectangular negative 
electrode with the positive and negative electrodes having an 
interlocking structure; (E) must include visible parallel grid 
collector metallic wire lines every 1-4 millimeters across each 
solar cell, and (F) must be in individual retail packaging (for 
purposes of this provision, retail packaging typically includes 
graphics, the product name, its description and/or features); and
    (2) Off grid CSPV panels without a glass cover, with the 
following characteristics, (A) a total power output of 220 watts or 
less per panel, (B) a maximum surface area of 16,000 cm\2\ per 
panel, (C) do not include a built-in inverter, (D) must include 
visible parallel grid collector metallic wire lines every 1-4 
millimeters across each solar cell, and (E) each panel is encased in 
a laminated material without stitching.
    Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are off-grid 
CSPV panels in rigid form, with or without a glass cover, 
permanently attached to an aluminum extrusion that is an integral 
component of an automation device that controls natural light, 
whether or not assembled into a fully completed automation device 
that controls natural light, with the following characteristics:
    (1) a total power output of 20 watts or less per panel;
    (2) a maximum surface area of 1,000 cm\2\ per panel;
    (3) does not include a built-in inverter for powering third 
party devices.
    Modules, laminates, and panels produced in a third-country from 
cells produced in a subject country are covered by the 
investigation; however, modules, laminates, and panels produced in a 
subject country from cells produced in a third-country are not 
covered by the investigation.
    Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are all 
products covered by the scope of the antidumping and countervailing 
duty orders on Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or 
Not Assembled into Modules, from the People's Republic of China: 
Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, and 
Antidumping Order, 77 FR 73018 (December 7, 2012); and Crystalline 
Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules, 
from the People's Republic of China: Countervailing Duty Order, 77 
FR 73017 (December 7, 2012).
    Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are all 
products covered by the scope of the antidumping and countervailing 
duty orders on Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or 
Not Assembled into Modules from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: 
Amended Final Antidumping Duty Determination; Crystalline Silicon 
Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules from 
Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: 
Antidumping duty Orders, 90 FR 26786 (June 24, 2025); Crystalline 
Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules 
from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Amended Final Antidumping 
Duty Determination; Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether 
or Not Assembled into Modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and 
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Antidumping Duty Orders; 
Correction, 90 FR 29843 (July 7, 2025); and Crystalline Silicon 
Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules, from 
Malaysia and Thailand: Amended Final Countervailing Duty 
Determinations; Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or 
Not Assembled into Modules, from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and 
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Countervailing Duty Orders, 90 FR 
26791 (June 24, 2025).
    Merchandise covered by this investigation is currently 
classified in the Harmonized Tariff System of the United States 
(HTSUS) under subheadings 8541.42.0010 and 8541.43.0010. Imports of 
the subject merchandise may enter under HTSUS subheadings 
8501.71.0000, 8501.72.1000, 8501.72.2000, 8501.72.3000, 
8501.72.9000, 8501.80.1000, 8501.80.2000, 8501.80.3000, 
8501.80.9000, 8507.20.8010, 8507.20.8031, 8507.20.8041, 
8507.20.8061, and 8507.20.8091. These HTSUS subheadings are provided 
for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the 
scope of this investigation is dispositive.

Appendix II

List of Topics Discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum

I. Summary
II. Background
III. Final Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, in 
Part
IV. Use of Facts Otherwise Available and Application of Adverse 
Inferences
V. Changes Since the Preliminary Determination
VI. Subsidies Valuation Information
VII. Analysis of Programs
VIII. Discussion of the Issues
    Comment 1: Whether Commerce Has the Legal Authority Under World 
Trade Organization Rules to Investigate Transnational Subsidies
    Comment 2: Whether Commerce Has Statutory Authority to 
Countervail Alleged Transnational Subsidies
    Comment 3: Whether Commerce's Determinations Regarding the 
Cross-Border Provision of Chinese-Origin Inputs for Less Than 
Adequate Remuneration Are Based on Substantial Evidence and 
Otherwise in Accordance With Law
    Comment 4: Whether Commerce Should Apply Adverse Facts Available 
to Find That All Chinese Suppliers of Inputs for LTAR Are 
Authorities Under the Act
    Comment 5: Whether Commerce Properly Applied AFA to the 
Government of Laos

[[Page 58642]]

for the Cross-Border Provision of Chinese Silicon Wafers for LTAR 
Program
    Comment 6: Whether Commerce Should Revise the Benchmark 
Calculations for Solarspace Laos in Accordance With Findings at 
Verification
    Comment 7: Whether Commerce Should Use BloombergNEF Data as a 
Tier 2 Benchmark for the Cross-Border Provision of Chinese Silicon 
Wafers for LTAR Program
    Comment 8: Whether the Silver Paste Market in Laos Is Distorted
    Comment 9: Whether Commerce Should Revise the Ocean Freight 
Benchmarks
    Comment 10: Whether Commerce Should Find Solarspace Laos to Be 
Uncreditworthy
    Comment 11: Whether Value-Added Tax Exemptions Under the 
Saysettha Development Zone Customs Duty and VAT Exemptions Program 
Conferred a Benefit
    Comment 12: Whether Commerce Should Apply Total AFA to Determine 
the Estimated Subsidy Rate of VSUN
IX. Recommendation

[FR Doc. 2026-18942 Filed 9-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on September 16, 2026.

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