SunPower May Exit Businesses, Cut Staff Without Tariff Exemption

If SunPower Corp. wins an exemption from U.S. solar tariffs, it will invest in the U.S. If not, the second-largest U.S. solar manufacturer may look to exit some businesses and cut jobs.

“It’s definitely a threshold item for us,” Chief Executive Officer Tom Werner said in an interview July 30. “It’s invest in grow-in-America or reduce.”

SunPower produces panels in Mexico and Asia and paid $17 million in tariffs in the first half of the year. Werner expects to pay $51 million in the second half -- more than on research and development.

Werner remains confident that SunPower will win ...