Fear not, they're about to be really popular again regardless of subsidies.

"The Obama administration imposed tariffs of 31% to over 250% on Chinese solar panels and cells in 2012, targeting what they identified as illegal subsidies and dumping practices."

"2018 Initiative: President Trump imposed 4-year tariffs (starting at 30%) on imported solar cells and modules, specifically targeting China's 80% global market share."

"The Biden administration has significantly increased tariffs on Chinese solar products to protect domestic manufacturing, raising tariffs on solar cells (whether or not assembled into modules) to 50% in 2024. These measures also include a 50% tariff on solar wafers and polysilicon, along with restricting exemptions for solar manufacturing equipment."

"In early 2025, the Trump administration significantly intensified tariffs on Chinese solar products, raising duties to 60% and initiating investigations into key components like polysilicon. Additional 10"25% tariffs were imposed on related materials, with efforts to close loopholes for Chinese products routed through Southeast Asia. These measures aim to protect U.S. manufacturing but are expected to increase costs for solar projects."

China still subsidizes them.

Anyways, the original joke was an oil price reference.