EU begins inspection on Chinese solar companies
BRUSSELS - Reuters
A worker checks on a solar panel at a field in western China. Some 60 percent of Chinese solar panels go to the EU countries. AFP Photo
The European Commission said yesterday it will investigate suspected dumping of solar panels by Chinese producers, drawing a warning from China that restrictions on its solar exports would hurt theglobal clean energy sector.
The investigation into one of the biggest import sectors ever targeted by the Commission stems from a complaint by a group of European solar companies, led by Germany’s SolarWorld.
The group, comprising members in Germany, Italy, Spain and other EU countries, says Chinese solar firms have been selling panels below market value in Europe.
The move came less than two days after the European Commission said it had launched an anti-trust probe against the Russian company due to concerns it was hindering competition in Central and Eastern European gas markets.
China’s solar firms warned in July of a trade war, calling on their government to strike back against the impending investigation. Chinese producers include Yingli Green Energy, Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd, Trina Solar Ltd and Canadian Solar Inc.
But China’s immediate response to the announcement of an investigation was more measured, and did not mention any retaliatory steps.
China asks for cooperation
“China expresses deep regret” about the decision, Ministry of Commerce spokesman Shen Danyang said in a statement on the ministry’s website. “Restricting China’s solar panel products will not only hurt the interests of both Chinese and European industry, it will also wreck the healthy development of the global solar and clean energy sector,” said Shen.
He urged the European Union to “seriously consider China’s position and proposals, and to resolve friction over solar panel trade through consultations and cooperation.”
The Chinese solar industry expanded rapidly on the back of profitable exports to Europe but is now struggling with severe overcapacity as export markets have shrivelled and domestic demand remains insufficient.
China sold about 21 billion euros ($26.47 billion) in solar panels and components to the European Union in 2011 - about 60 percent of all Chinese exports of the product.
The European Union imported goods from China worth a total of 292 billion euros ($368.01 billion) last year. Imports of Chinese products subject to trade defense duties total less than one percent of that amount.
The United States imposed duties on solar panel imports from China in May after a similar initiative led by SolarWorld there.
The European Commission will examine whether dumping is taking place, whether it is damaging EU industry and whether duties would harm the EU’s economic interests.
Western solar firms have been at odds with their Chinese counterparts for years, alleging that they receive lavish credit lines to offer modules at cheaper pricing.
German solar company Q-Cells became the most prominent EU victim of an increasingly competitive market, filing for insolvency in April.
However, some European solar companies such as those that install panels say Europe should welcome Chinese imports because they make solar power more affordable and are essential for the 27-member bloc to achieve its goal of having 20 percent of energy from renewables by 2020.
The Commission will send questionnaires to the Chinese exporters as well as to EU producers and importers and make a recommendation to EU members. They have within 15 months of the opening of the investigation to impose any duties, which are generally in place five years.
