Maxeon Solar recently disclosed the latest developments in its US solar panel business, encompassing supply chain restructuring and ongoing issues with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the detention of Maxeon 3, Maxeon 6, and Performance 6 solar panel shipments.
During the Biden administration in July 2024, the CBP detained a shipment of Maxeon 3, Maxeon 6, and Performance 6 solar panels from the company. Despite Maxeon Solar’s assertion that its supply chain is verified to exclude polysilicon from the relevant regions, the reason for the detention remains undisclosed.
In late March, the CBP informed Maxeon that its protest against the detention had been denied. Subsequently, Maxeon Solar submitted evidence to the US Court of International Trade, demonstrating the full compliance of its original supply chain.
Maxeon noted in a press release that the CBP’s handling and process of the company’s protest were highly irregular. Initially, protests regarding the detention of Maxeon 3 and Maxeon 6 panels were submitted to the CBP’s Office of Regulations and Rulings (OR&R) under a “Request for Further Review.” Subsequently, the protest for Performance 6 panels was also transferred to OR&R. However, after months of communication with Maxeon on the core issues of these protests, OR&R not only refused to issue a public ruling but also declared that the protests did not meet the criteria for further review, referring the cases back to the Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE). This decision implies that future imports of similar products using the same supply chain documentation are likely to face obstacles. Nevertheless, the decision does not prevent Maxeon from “importing the same or different solar products with revised supply chain documentation, as each shipment is evaluated individually.”
In addition to addressing the cargo detention issue, Maxeon Solar is actively restructuring its supply chain. With new tariffs and trade barriers impacting its original battery and module manufacturing facilities, the company is establishing new manufacturing and supply chain systems that are unaffected by the CBP’s aforementioned decision.
George Guo, CEO of Maxeon, stated, “Maxeon recognizes the importance of continuing to develop our manufacturing facilities in the US. We are committed to working with the Trump administration and leaders in New Mexico to deliver our cutting-edge, efficient solar products to our residential and utility-scale partners across the country. Domestic manufacturing is the right approach, regardless of tariffs. Combining our unique patented technology with a diversified and resilient supply chain is the key to Maxeon’s long-term success.”
