Indian solar manufacturer Waaree Energies Ltd is doubling the production capacity of its Houston, Texas, facility to 3.2 gigawatts over the next six months. The expansion is part of the company’s strategy to maintain access to the lucrative U.S. solar market while avoiding steep import tariffs on modules shipped directly from India.
Waaree’s approach takes advantage of U.S. customs rules that determine the origin of a solar panel based on where its cells are produced, rather than where the final module is assembled. By sourcing cells from countries not subject to U.S. tariffs and assembling them in Texas, the company can classify its products as U.S.-made, effectively bypassing the duties.
The U.S. remains Waaree’s largest export destination, accounting for nearly 60% of its total order book. Despite ongoing trade tensions, the company views the U.S. as a key growth market, driven by rising electricity demand from sectors like artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and manufacturing reshoring.
Waaree’s CEO, Amit Paithankar, noted that the company’s realignment of its global supply chain ensures compliance with trade laws while keeping its products competitively priced. Although U.S. authorities have launched anti-dumping and duty-evasion investigations involving solar imports from several Asian nations—including India—Waaree has confirmed it is cooperating fully and that its business operations remain unaffected.
To strengthen its presence in the U.S., Waaree has already invested around $150 million in expanding local manufacturing. The company also plans to broaden its footprint by adding solar cell production and battery storage systems to its U.S. operations, aiming for an eightfold increase in capacity over time.
In addition, Waaree recently acquired panel manufacturing assets from a European solar equipment maker, boosting its ability to serve American customers faster and more efficiently.
Through this expansion, Waaree is positioning itself as a key player in the fast-growing U.S. renewable energy market while safeguarding its competitiveness against tariff headwinds and trade policy uncertainties.