U.S. trade commission launches probe into solar panel imports

Solarworld AG

12/09/2017 20:51

WASHINGTON, Sept 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. International Trade 
Commission said on Tuesday it was launching a probe into imports 
of solar panels, in a case watched closely by the solar 
installation industry, which has seen panel prices rise partly 
from concern that tariffs could double their cost. 
    The commission said it would issue a preliminary finding by 
Sept. 22 on whether imports of the panels, known as crystalline 
silicon photovoltaic cells, were damaging U.S. producers, after 
a complaint brought by Georgia-based Suniva Inc in April. 
    Manufacturers in China account for most of the solar panels 
imported into the United States. 
    U.S. President Donald Trump, who has taken a tough approach 
on trade policy and Chinese exporters in particular, is expected 
to make a final decision in the case later this year. 
    Suniva, owned by Hong Kong-based Shunfeng International 
Clean Energy Ltd  1165.HK , filed for bankruptcy in April after 
receiving millions of dollars of local, state and federal 
incentives. 
    German-based SolarWorld AG  SWVKk.F  later joined the 
complaint. 
    According to an industry report published on Monday, U.S. 
solar module prices rose to 39 cents per watt during the second 
quarter of 2017 from 37 cents in the first quarter. It was the 
first time module prices had increased since 2014.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL2N1LP1FA 
    Solar system prices declined only modestly during the 
quarter as developers, fearing new tariffs on imports, rushed to 
secure panels, it said. 
    The report also showed that U.S. solar installations rose 8 
percent in the quarter as robust utility demand offset a sharp 
pullback in residential rooftop systems. 
    In the European Union, Chinese solar panel imports have been 
subject to anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties since 2013, with 
an 18-month extension agreed on by EU countries earlier this 
year.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N1LN4MC 
 
 (Reporting by Eric Walsh; Editing by Peter Cooney) 
 ((eric.walsh@thomsonreuters.com; 1-202-898-8457; Reuters 
Messaging: eric.walsh.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: USA TRADE/SOLAR