First Solar, an Arizona-based solar equipment manufacturer, has taken legal action against Toledo Solar by filing a complaint in an Ohio district court. The complaint alleges that Toledo Solar sold Asian-made panels under the false claim that they were manufactured in the United States, bearing “Made in the U.S.A” labels.
First Solar is seeking an injunction to prevent Toledo Solar from continuing to misrepresent its products. Additionally, the company aims to recover any profits obtained from the sale of these panels.
The legal dispute arose when a First Solar employee discovered that the panels provided by Toledo Solar for the installation of new solar panels at the Ohio governor's mansion in the summer of 2022 contained First Solar's distinctive serial numbers. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the panels were manufactured in First Solar's facilities in Malaysia, contrary to Toledo Solar's claim of their origin.
Toledo Solar, a company based in Ohio, has not yet responded to a request for comment from Reuters regarding this matter.
The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act enacted last year offers significant tax incentives amounting to billions of dollars for facilities that employ American-made equipment. These incentives are designed to accelerate the transition to a decarbonized power sector while stimulating domestic job creation.
