A request for new tariffs on solar cell and module imports from Asia is feeding an intraindustry divide between project developers relying heavily on those products and the U.S. manufacturers competing for more market share.

Interest in solar energy is growing as there are more national and corporate commitments to reducing the use of fossil fuels, and domestic cell and module manufacturers want to grow their industrial base to help meet demand. Meanwhile, those representing the interests of firms engaged in downstream activities, such as panel assembly and installation, say they want more manufacturing growth, too, but they say the tariffs would hurt their businesses.