FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 225: Foreign Acquisition › Subpart 225.70
DFARS 225.7017-1 Definitions.
The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.
In plain English
This section defines terms used in DFARS 225.7017 regarding photovoltaic devices and covered contracts. It explains what counts as a photovoltaic device from various countries and what types of DoD contracts are covered. Contractors need to understand these definitions to determine how their photovoltaic devices are classified under DoD contracts.
Applies to: DoD contracts involving photovoltaic devices, including energy savings performance contracts, utility services contracts, and private housing contracts performed in the United States.
Key terms: photovoltaic device · covered contract · domestic photovoltaic device · foreign photovoltaic device · U.S.-made photovoltaic device
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As used in this section—
Caribbean Basin country photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic device that—
(1) Is wholly manufactured in a Caribbean Basin country; or
(2) In the case of a photovoltaic device that consists in whole or in part of materials from another country, has been substantially transformed in a Caribbean Basin country into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was transformed, provided that the photovoltaic device is not subsequently substantially transformed outside of a Caribbean Basin country.
Covered contract means an energy savings performance contract, a utility services contract, or a private housing contract awarded by DoD, to be performed in the United States, if such contract results in DoD ownership of photovoltaic devices, by means other than DoD purchase as end products. DoD is deemed to own a photovoltaic device if the device is—
(1) Installed in the United States on DoD property or in a facility owned by DoD; and
(2) Reserved for the exclusive use of DoD in the United States for the full economic life of the device.
Designated country photovoltaic device means a World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA) country photovoltaic device, a Free Trade Agreement country photovoltaic device, a least developed country photovoltaic device, or a Caribbean Basin country photovoltaic device.
Domestic photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic device that is manufactured in the United States.
Foreign photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic device other than a domestic photovoltaic device.
Free Trade Agreement country photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic device that—
(1) Is wholly manufactured in a Free Trade Agreement country; or
(2) In the case of a photovoltaic device that consists in whole or in part of materials from another country, has been substantially transformed in a Free Trade Agreement country into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was transformed, provided that the photovoltaic device is not subsequently substantially transformed outside of a Free Trade Agreement country.
Least developed country photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic device that—
(1) Is wholly manufactured in a least developed country; or
(2) In the case of a photovoltaic device that consists in whole or in part of materials from another country, has been substantially transformed in a least developed country into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was transformed, provided that the photovoltaic device is not subsequently substantially transformed outside of a least developed country.
Photovoltaic device means a device that converts light directly into electricity through a solid-state, semiconductor process.
Qualifying country photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic device manufactured in a qualifying country.
U.S.-made photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic device that—
(1) Is manufactured in the United States; or
(2) Is substantially transformed in the United States into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was transformed, provided that the photovoltaic device is not subsequently substantially transformed outside of the United States.
WTO GPA country photovoltaic device means a photovoltaic device that—
(1) Is wholly manufactured in a WTO GPA country; or
(2) In the case of a photovoltaic device that consists in whole or in part of materials from another country, has been substantially transformed in a WTO GPA country into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was transformed, provided that the photovoltaic device is not subsequently substantially transformed outside of a WTO GPA country.
← 225.7017 Utilization of domestic photovoltaic devices. · 225.7017-2 Restriction. →
Rule changes for DFARS Part 225
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Modifications to Printed Circuit Board Acquisition Restrictions (DFARS Case 2022-D011) ↗ · proposed 2026-07-02 · comments due 2026-08-31
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Small Purchase Exception for the Acquisition of U.S. Flags (DFARS Case 2024-D013) ↗ · proposed 2026-06-25 · comments due 2026-08-24
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds (DFARS Case 2024-D002) ↗ · final rule 2025-08-25 · effective 2025-10-01
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2025-08-25 · effective 2025-08-25
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds (DFARS Case 2024-D002) ↗ · proposed 2025-01-17 · comments due 2025-03-18
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2024-12-18 · effective 2024-12-18
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Inapplicability of Additional Defense-Unique Laws and Certain Non-Statutory DFARS Clauses to Commercial Item Contracts (DFARS Case 2018-D074) ↗ · final rule 2024-11-15 · effective 2024-11-25
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2024-11-15 · effective 2024-11-15
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.