I think it's less accurate to say that China dumped solar panels on the US, and more accurate to say a large portion of the US actively worked to block any sort

I think it's less accurate to say that China dumped solar panels on the US, and more accurate to say a large portion of the US actively worked to block any sort of development and deployment of solar within US borders. A lot of people really wanted coal to be the world's energy for the next 500 years. You can blame it all on lobbying, but voters themselves made fossil fuel dependence part of their identity. China caught up where the US should've had the lead, then flew past the US. Then the US was left with demand for a product and nobody but China could fill it. It's like blaming wheelchair companies for filling a demand when people cut off their own legs. And we're seeing the same with Japan and EVs. Japanese cars had probably the best reputation in the world. They could've switched over to 50% EV manufacturing, and even if they weren't cutting edge products, they'd be top sellers just because the country and its companies have a reputation that's that good. Instead the companies have been plugging their ears and covering their eyes and trying to pretend gas cars will be here forever until everyone decides burning coal/gas to produce hydrogen (???) will be the fuel of the future. Calling it a gamble that hasn't paid off is understating what a totally braindead move it has been. In both the US and Japan's case, it's a case of people wanting to believe the thing that existed when they grew up can never change, should never be allowed to change, and that everyone else will agree with them. But the market moved on without them.