Solar panel exports hampered, DEN pushes for expansion of solar power development
Tuesday, April 21 2026 - 07:43 PM WIB
By Calvin Purba
Indonesia’s solar panel industry is facing absorption challenges following the imposition of anti-subsidy duties on Indonesian solar panels by the United States. According to the National Energy Council (DEN), the industry is struggling to export due to the high tariffs imposed.
Sripeni Inten Cahyani, a member of DEN, said that a solar panel factory in Batam—whose products were previously exported to the United States—is now facing obstacles due to import duties of up to 104.87%.
“Given the current geopolitical situation, national solar power production, which was previously partly exported to the United States and other countries, is now effectively banned due to tariffs of up to 120% and 80%. As a result, they can no longer export there,” Sripeni said on the sidelines of the National Solar Transition Forum 2026 mini conference on Tuesday (April 21).
Read also: Govt drafts presidential regulation for 100 GW solar power
She highlighted that if solar panel production is not absorbed, it could lead to cutbacks due to the lack of revenue in the industry.
In addition to the Batam-based manufacturers, Sripeni also pointed to Trina Mas Agra Indonesia (TMAI), the first integrated solar cell and module manufacturer in Indonesia, established through a partnership between Trina Solar Co. Ltd., PT Daya Sukses Makmur Selaras (a subsidiary of PT Dian Swastatika Sentosa Tbk (IDX: DSSA), and PT PLN Indonesia Power Renewable.
TMAI, which has a production capacity of 1 gigawatt per year in the Kendal Industrial Zone, Central Java, has also carried out temporary layoffs due to the lack of buyers.
“TMAI in Central Java, with production of 1 GW per year, has begun temporary layoffs because since it started production, there has been no market absorption—only projects under the solar quota have taken some output,” Sripeni said.
Indonesia currently has a total solar panel production capacity of 11 GW, consisting of 5 GW for domestic use and 6 GW for export.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak