BNEF raises U.S. energy storage deployment forecast by 30% despite trade barriers

BloombergNEF said in its semiannual energy storage outlook that the United States will deploy 30% more energy storage capacity over the next 10 years than it forecast six months ago, reaching cumulative deployments of 213.9 GW by 2030 and 434.4 GW by 2036. BNEF puts the combined duty on stationary storage batteries imported from mainland China at 40.9%, and cites import restrictions on foreign-made power conversion systems and recent broad limits on imports of bulk power system equipment among the trade barriers.

Intertek CEA forecasts 15% to 30% decline in U.S. energy storage prices by 2030 as trade barriers and 45X rules reshape supply

Intertek CEA's ESS Price Forecasting Report (Q3 – 2026) projects U.S. DC block prices will decline roughly 15% to 30% by 2030, while import markets could see reductions exceeding 40% as Chinese manufacturers shift from standard prismatic cells to larger formats. The companion ESS Supply, Technology, and Policy Report (Q3 – 2026) cites supply concentration in China, delayed U.S. factory timelines and evolving tax incentives, with about 11% of announced 2026 U.S. production capacity at risk of slipping into 2027.

Trump orders trade talks, not new tariffs, after Section 232 wind turbine probe

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation following a Section 232 investigation, launched by the Commerce Department in August 2025, into imports of wind turbines and their components, directing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to open or continue negotiations with trading partners and report on progress within 180 days. The proclamation states the U.S. is reliant on wind turbine and part imports and that foreign-made turbines and parts present unique cybersecurity risks, citing inverters in particular.

T1 Energy announces Commerce waiver to import up to 1.725 GW of solar cells ahead of Section 232 tariffs

T1 Energy, a Texas-based module maker, announced it received a Department of Commerce waiver allowing it to import up to 1.725 GW of solar cells for its module assembly operations in Wilmer, Texas, without penalty for stockpiling under the Section 232 tariffs that take effect December 4, 2026, when polysilicon and silicon-based solar products become subject to a 15% tariff alongside minimum import prices. Ahead of that date, Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security issued an emergency rule setting criteria for evidence of stockpiling, import prohibition penalties for noncompliance and a process for companies to obtain a waiver.

pv magazine roundup: sodium-ion specs, California plug-in solar law and U.S. solar manufacturing financing

pv magazine USA's weekly roundup reports that the U.S. energy storage market is developing its own sodium-ion specification amid federal domestic content policies, FEOC sourcing rules and UL 9540A testing, and that California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 868, allowing portable solar devices to connect through a receptacle. It also reports that the New York Public Service Commission approved a two-year meter socket adapter pilot, that more than 70% of announced U.S. solar manufacturing expansion plans are not yet financed, and that a Wood Mackenzie report finds four-hour storage cheaper than open-cycle gas in 43 modeled markets while tariffs threaten near-term U.S. gains.

BIS issues temporary final rule on polysilicon stockpiling under Proclamation 11052

BIS issued a temporary final rule, effective September 22, 2026 through December 3, 2026, setting the criteria and process it will use to monitor existing companies for evidence of stockpiling polysilicon and polysilicon derivatives ahead of import adjustments effective December 4, 2026 under Proclamation 11052. The rule limits a newly established importer's ability to stockpile, imposes import limitations on new importers that register with CBP on or after August 6, 2026, and subjects companies found to be stockpiling to an import prohibition if necessary. It also establishes the process for such companies to obtain a waiver from any import prohibitions imposed under the rule.

Declaring a National Emergency To Secure the United States Bulk-Power System