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US International Trade Commission hears pros and cons on Chinese solar cells
CHINESE solar cells do not compete with US-made cells, Chinese producers told the US International Trade Commission (ITC), as they sought to avert countervailing duties, Reuters reports.
The US subsidiary of Germany's SolarWorld AG said Chinese solar producers were able to sidestep duties by sourcing solar panel cells in Taiwan.
"Chinese and Taiwanese imports have taken over the US market. The US industry is fighting for its survival," said SolarWorld counsel Tim Brightbill.
Several US solar firms told the ITC, which must rule on whether the imports hurt American producers, that they relied on imported cells because US-made alternatives did not meet their specifications.
"US suppliers cannot supply the high efficiency cells and high wattage modules that we use for our projects. US solar products are not interchangeable with the solar products we import," said SunEdison vice president Polly Shaw.
Taiwan's Neo Solar Power lawyer Austin Chiu said: "They must rely on Taiwan cells because they cannot get the cells they need from [American producers] SolarWorld or Suniva."
But SolarWorld vice president Ardes Johnson said preliminary duties had stemmed a price "freefall" but many foreign producers had specifically told customers that they would drop prices again if duties were not confirmed by the ITC and Commerce.
"SolarWorld has increased its sales in recent months, with the trade duties in place. But if the duties go away, our sales agreements would be in jeopardy," said Mr Johnson.
The Commerce Department is due to make its final decision by December 15 and the ITC by January 29.
The US subsidiary of Germany's SolarWorld AG said Chinese solar producers were able to sidestep duties by sourcing solar panel cells in Taiwan.
"Chinese and Taiwanese imports have taken over the US market. The US industry is fighting for its survival," said SolarWorld counsel Tim Brightbill.
Several US solar firms told the ITC, which must rule on whether the imports hurt American producers, that they relied on imported cells because US-made alternatives did not meet their specifications.
"US suppliers cannot supply the high efficiency cells and high wattage modules that we use for our projects. US solar products are not interchangeable with the solar products we import," said SunEdison vice president Polly Shaw.
Taiwan's Neo Solar Power lawyer Austin Chiu said: "They must rely on Taiwan cells because they cannot get the cells they need from [American producers] SolarWorld or Suniva."
But SolarWorld vice president Ardes Johnson said preliminary duties had stemmed a price "freefall" but many foreign producers had specifically told customers that they would drop prices again if duties were not confirmed by the ITC and Commerce.
"SolarWorld has increased its sales in recent months, with the trade duties in place. But if the duties go away, our sales agreements would be in jeopardy," said Mr Johnson.
The Commerce Department is due to make its final decision by December 15 and the ITC by January 29.
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