The International Photovoltaic Equipment Association (IPVEA) has announced that fostering a globally competitive and independent “free market PV economy” is necessary for the PV industry. Chinese competitors in the PV market are suspected to have dumped their PV products in the European market at prices below the market rate.
EU solar cell and panel manufacturing industry members are calling upon the European Commission to examine whether PV products were in fact dumped by China. IPVEA, along with other associations, has expressed its opinion that it does not favor the imposition of punitive tariffs. In March, the U.S. had imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese manufacturers of solar systems, based on similar complaints to the government. The U.S. Commerce Department imposed levies from 31% to as high as 250%, stating that the products were being sold below cost.
IPVEA, a non-profit organization, represents manufacturers and suppliers of PV related raw materials and fabrication equipment. It did not make any separate declarations, but intends to join other associations to issue joint industry statements. The 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition is scheduled to take place in Frankfurt, Germany from 24 to 28 September 2012. At this event, IPVEA plans to discuss the issue and calls upon other associations to come to a common understanding over the statement to be issued.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates that in 2009, Chinese manufacturers had provided about 40% of the solar panels which increased to about 68% in 2011. EU companies had manufactured 19% of the solar panels in 2009 which went down to 11.5% in 2011. The U.S. had provided 23% in 2009 which also reduced to 9%.
Germany has announced its support for an anti-dumping probe if the commission decides on it. The EU ProSun initiative had filed a complaint on July 26. Since then, the European Commission will have to decide whether the complaint has to be investigated within a period of 45 days.
Source: http://www.ipvea.org/
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