SolarWorld applauds trade panel for vote to counter illegal Chinese trade practices

USA: SolarWorld has cheered the US International Trade Commission (ITC) for its unanimous final finding that illegally subsidized and dumped Chinese imports of crystalline silicon solar cells and panels have hurt domestic manufacturers.

The decision, along with all major preceding rulings, validates the central contention of SolarWorld’s trade cases that the government of China is staging an illegal, anticompetitive export drive at the expense of U.S. manufacturing and jobs, the company said.

However, the company said in light of China’s apparent determination to prop up its excessive production capacity at any cost, it would continue to pursue all relevant options to address China’s improper trade practices. The goal, according to the company, is to revive the domestic industry, fair competition and economic growth in the US solar-manufacturing market at a time when demand is robustly expanding.

The 6-0 vote by the ITC will activate final anti-subsidy and anti-dumping duties on Chinese imports that the U.S. Department of Commerce issued in October, ranging from a combined rate of about 24 percent up to more than 250 percent, depending on the company, according to SolarWorld. The ITC determination is the final step in the trade case investigations, among the biggest brought against China, filed in October 2011.

“US producers are grateful for the diligence that the ITC and its staff invested in this complex case at the crossroads of the world’s energy future,” said Gordon Brinser, president of SolarWorld Industries America Inc., based in Oregon. “The vote comes too late for hundreds of American workers laid off from more than two dozen US factories that China’s state-sponsored export campaign drove into financial peril. But the decision offers some hope to survivors that China might be held accountable to its legal obligations and that this US-pioneered industry might see a fair chance to play a growing role in the nation’s energy independence.”

For example, SolarWorld said it has pulled further ahead as the world technology leader, offering a 270-watt, 60-cell panel – the world’s first – as it invests yet another $27 million in technological and manufacturing advances in its Oregon plant and $62 million in its plants worldwide. The addition brings SolarWorld’s total investment in Oregon to more than $610 million without federal subsidies to support development of its operations there, according to the company.

“While SolarWorld continues to innovate, the Chinese government has doubled-down on its trade-distorting practices,” Brinser said. “It is bailing out individual companies, keeping afloat massive excesses of production capacity and otherwise continuing to intervene in the US market by underwriting a no-holds-barred export drive. Moreover, under government support, Chinese companies are pursuing ways to circumvent duties, partly by availing themselves of a loophole that Commerce created when it redefined the scope of SolarWorld’s cases. SolarWorld will continue to fight for a clean, legal and competitive domestic industry.”

Supported by the 227-employer Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing, SolarWorld said the cases aimed to stop the Chinese government from investing massive improper subsidies to underwrite its solar industry’s export campaign and dump products, or sell them at artificially low prices, to seize US market share.

Just as the solar industry reached a tipping point into mainstream adoption, SolarWorld said, China launched its export drive into the US solar market, as part of its central five-year planning process targeting emerging “strategic industries.” The Chinese industry enjoyed neither a background in the industry nor any technological, production or cost advantage. Rather, it was the object of the Chinese government’s export goals.

On Oct. 10, Commerce called for anti-dumping duties of 31.73 percent on imports of solar photovoltaic cells and panels from Suntech, 18.32 percent from Trina Solar, 25.96 percent from other companies that had requested but not received individual duty determinations and 249.96 percent from all other Chinese producers, including those controlled by the Chinese government. In addition, the department recommended anti-subsidy duties of 14.78 percent for imports made by Suntech, 15.97 percent Trina Solar and 15.24 percent for all other Chinese manufacturers.

Commerce’s scope covers photovoltaic cells produced or assembled into panels in China but not panels made from cells produced in third countries, creating a loophole for Chinese producers to get around duties. SolarWorld’s initial, broader scope had covered all cells and panels produced in China.

SolarWorld submitted its trade cases on behalf of a coalition of seven domestic manufacturers, including Helios Solar Works of Wisconsin and MX Solar USA of New Jersey. Thereafter, the coalition in favor of sustainable production, domestic manufacturing and trade free of illegal foreign government intervention swelled to 227 solar-industry companies employing more than 18,000 American workers. More than 85 percent of CASM members are downstream operators, such as installers and financiers.

Crystalline silicon PV cells and modules from China injure US industry: USITC

USA: The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) determined that a US industry is materially injured by reason of imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules from China that the US Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the USITC's affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of these products from China.

The Commerce Department previously made affirmative critical circumstances determinations in its investigations. Therefore, the Commissioners who made affirmative determinations today are required to determine whether imports covered by the Commerce critical circumstances determinations are likely to undermine seriously the remedial effect of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders Commerce will issue.

With respect to critical circumstances, Commissioners Daniel R. Pearson, Shara L. Aranoff, David S. Johanson, and Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the negative. Chairman Irving A. Williamson and Commissioner Dean A. Pinkert voted in the affirmative with respect to critical circumstances.

As a result of the Commission's negative determinations regarding critical circumstances, the antidumping and countervailing duty orders concerning these imports will not apply retroactively to goods that entered the United States prior to the date of publication in the Federal Register of the Department of Commerce's affirmative preliminary determinations.

The Commission's public report Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells and Modules from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-481 and 731-TA-1190 (Final), USITC Publication 4360, November 2012) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.

Suntech response to final US ITC decision

USA: Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd, the world's largest producer of solar panels, offers the following statement regarding the US International Trade Commission's (ITC) final ruling regarding countervailing duties (CVD) and anti-dumping duties (AD) on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells imported from China.

E.L. "Mick" McDaniel, MD of Suntech America, said: "The continued growth of trade barriers represents a serious challenge to the US solar industry, for American jobs, and for energy consumers globally. SolarWorld's hypocritical campaign has forced the fast-growing American solar industry to foot the bill for SolarWorld's competitive failures. Further damage can be prevented if governments engage in constructive dialogue to roll back protectionist barriers that limit our industry's ability to compete against fossil fuels. As a US manufacturer and global company, Suntech will continue to oppose unnecessary solar taxes and promote affordable solar energy everywhere.

"However, we are pleased with the ITC's final ruling to reject Commerce's critical circumstances decision and remove the 90-day retroactivity of tariffs. It was apparent to everyone within the solar industry that heightened market demand in Q4 2011 was driven by the expiry of the 1603 cash grant program.

"As a global company with global supply chains and manufacturing in China, Japan, and the US, we remain committed to our US customers and will continue to supply hundreds of megawatts of high-quality, affordable solar panels that will not be subject to these US-China tariffs," continued McDaniel.

ReneSola to provide made-in-India solar PV modules

CHINA: ReneSola Ltd, a leading global manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules and wafers, has introduced its new Virtus II multicrystalline modules to the Indian market at the 6th Renewable Energy India 2012 Expo, a three-day event held in New Delhi that concludes on November 9.

In addition, ReneSola has started providing locally produced PV modules to the Indian market and expects to provide 250 MW of India-made PV modules over a two-year period. The India launch follows the successful introduction of the Virtus II solar modules to the US and Australian markets.

ReneSola continues to implement its sales and marketing strategy of "professionalization, internationalization and localization" in India. Given the substantial demand for solar panels in India, ReneSola foresees a total quantity of 250 MW of India-made ReneSola modules over a two-year period. This is the first time the company has provided locally produced PV modules outside of China, emphasizing the importance of the India PV market.

ReneSola will realize this target through collaborating with local strategic partners in India. In order to import its world-leading technology to India and take advantage of India's local management and talent resources, ReneSola is dedicated to providing localized and customized products and services to the India market.

"Considering the strong and growing demand the India PV market presents for electricity, coupled with the government's strong support and generous subsidies for solar energy, ReneSola considers India to be a key market within Asia," said Stephen Huang, APMEA president for ReneSola.

"We believe traditional PV sales and trading platforms cannot satisfy local demand, so we intend to invest more in India and are determined to establish roots there, ideally joining forces with the India PV industry to provide customized energy solutions."

Ascent selected by US Air Force for advanced flexible lightweight PV

USA: Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. has been selected for an Air Force Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase 2 award to demonstrate a next-generation photovoltaic product that builds upon its award-winning flexible monolithically integrated copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) technology.

Subject to contract finalization, the Air Force SBIR Phase 2 program is expected to run 24 months with a program value of up to $750,000.

“Solar cells perform best at lower temperatures, but they can get hot during normal operation,” stated Victor Lee, president and CEO at Ascent Solar. “Modifying our existing technology can improve its performance at higher temperatures. This Air Force program builds upon significant work already conducted by our team in this area. After program completion, we envision a new product that will perform over 30 percent better under some operating conditions that utilize process modifications that can be used in our existing manufacturing line.”

4th SOLARCON India 2012 concludes triumphantly

BANGALORE, INDIA: SOLARCON India 2012, the fourth edition of India’s premier solar industry business event, was organized by SEMI India in association with the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Karnataka; Karnataka Udyog Mitra (KUM); Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL) and was actively supported by the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy, Government of India and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA).

SOLARCON India 2012, inaugurated by Jagadish Shivappa Shettar, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka and Murugesh Rudrappa Nirani, Hon’ble Minister for Large and Medium Industries, Government of Karnataka on September 3rd, 2012 was successfully concluded today. SEMI, the premier Solar/PV industry association and organizer of SOLARCON India, said that it has received a remarkable response from the solar industry, government and stakeholders on this year’s conference entitled "The Promise of Affordable Solar Power in India: Unravelling the Bottlenecks and Identifying Solutions” and the splendid exhibition.

SEMI India is backing the Government of Karnataka’s Solar initiative to achieve the solar energy target of 200 MW by 2016, reinforcing Karnataka as the next Solar Hub of India.

SOLARCON India 2012 witnessed high quality business visitors with a substantial number of CXOs, senior level professionals, government officials and Board level executives. This year’s conference witnessed over 300 delegates from manufacturing, technology, materials, EPC, plant developer and component manufacturing segments actively discussing trends, opportunities and challenges of the Indian solar industry.

Debasish Paul Choudhury, president, SEMI India, said: “The fourth edition of SOLARCON India 2012 was well accepted by the industry, which was proved by their immense participation. SEMI backs the Karnataka state initiated Solar Policy 2011-16 to install 200 MWs Solar power by 2015-16 and their plan to establish Solar parks in Bijapur, Gulbarga and Yadgir districts. We are confident that the solar industry will flourish multi-fold in the coming years with innovative technologies from national and international companies accompanied by the aid from central and state governments.”

SOLARCON India 2012 focused on the technology trends, business opportunities, innovative products, work force development, manufacturing innovations, technology tie ups and best practices that will drive and influence the growth of the Indian solar PV industry. And provided insights into the issues and challenges faced on the ground by developers building Solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in India.

Also, SOLARCON India 2012's CEO forum discussed on the ‘Key requirements of short term & long term, solar manufacturing sustainability in India’ and ‘Can India reach 100 GW installed solar power capacity by 2030?’

Commenting on SOLARCON India 2012, Ajay K. Goel, CEO, TATA Power Solar Systems Ltd, said: “It is an encouraging sign to have so many people from broad walks of life from within and outside India come together to support the industry. In general, the message and outlook was quite positive despite recent challenges.”

Pashupathy Gopalan, MD, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa Operations, SunEdison Energy India Pvt Ltd, adds: “SOLARCON India 2012 was very positive as people are taking so much interest in participating in such events. Also, we like the size as it gives an opportunity to meet everyone. The visionary topics for the conference like producing 100 GW installed solar power capacity by 2030 was interesting with high quality speakers.”

Rajinder Kumar, CMD, Bergen Associates Pvt Ltd, said: “At the time of recession, SOLARCON India 2012 is a good effort to keep the hopes of the industry alive. It is a platform for exchange of new developments that have taken place.” Sanjeev Sirsi, Head-Water Supply Projects and Sustainable Energy Business, Grundfos Pumps India Pvt Ltd, adds, “SOLARCON India 2012 was successful in creating awareness among the people on products that are available for off grid solutions.”

The conference featured high profile speakers including Pashupathy Gopalan, MD, South Asia & Sub Saharan Africa Operations, SunEdison; Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, Council on Energy, Environment & Water; Ajay K. Goel, CEO, TATA Power Solar; Basant Jain, CEO, Mahindra EPC; Anjan Ghosh, Head - Sales & Marketing, TATA BP Solar India Ltd; K.N. Subramaniam, CEO Moser Baer Solar Systems; Hari Surapaneni, president and CEO, Solar Semiconductor Ltd; Sankar Rao Chodagam, MD, Titan Energy Systems Ltd; Rajinder Kumar, CMD, Bergen Associates Pvt Ltd; Krishna Revankar, CEO-PV System Division, Emmvee Photovoltaic Power Pvt Ltd; Dr. VS Gangadhar Rao, COO (Manufacturing), Lanco Solar Ltd; Prasanth Sakhamuri, chairman, HHV Solar Technologies Pvt Ltd; Shiv Shukla, president and CEO - Abener India, Abengoa Solar India; Dr. Rajeev Sharma, executive director, Indo-US Science & Technology Forum; Dr. Martha Symko Davies - Solar Business Manager at NREL, USA; among many others.

The conference witnessed the participation of high profile government officials namely Dr. K.V. Raju, Economic Advisor to CM, Government of Karnataka; D.N. Narasimha Raju, Principal Secretary, Energy Department, Government of Karnataka; H.V. Raghuram, MD, Karnataka Udyog Mitra; C.R. Vijay Dev, GM, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL); Shailendra K. Shukla, director, Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) and other esteemed guests from the Government.

SOLARCON India 2012 kicks off brightly in Bangalore

BANGALORE, INDIA: SOLARCON India 2012, the fourth edition of India’s premiere solar energy focused event with the theme "The Promise of Affordable Solar Power in India: Unraveling the Bottlenecks and Identifying Solutions", organized by SEMI India in association with the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Karnataka; Karnataka Udyog Mitra (KUM); Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) and supported by the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy, Government of India and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) was inaugurated today by Jagadish Shivappa Shettar, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka and Murugesh Rudrappa Nirani, Hon’ble Minister for Large and Medium Industries, Government of Karnataka.Speaking at the inauguration, Shettar said: "Our government has given a new thrust to the solar power sector by implementing a new renewable energy policy. We have added 441 MW of renewable energy includes wind and solar during 2011-12. In our budget 2012-13 we have proposed to setup a Green energy fund by levying surcharge of 5 paise per unit on industrial and commercial consumers. The surcharge will be complimented by a support of Rs. 25 crores from the government. The resources available in the fund will be utilised to encourage rooftop grid connected solar project.

"Our state aims to achieve the solar energy target of 200 MW by 2016. Our government has made it mandatory for all new houses to install solar water heaters. Apart from that the government and local authorities have taken the initiative to install large number of solar street lights and signals within Bangalore and few other cities, we plan to extend the solar street lights across the state."

Nirani added: "The Karnataka state initiated by releasing Solar Policy 2011-16, proposes to install 200 MWs Solar power by 2015-16 for procurement by ESCOMs to meet the Renewable Purchase obligation RPO. Solar Power projects of 80MW capacities for 2011-12 & 2012-13 are awarded to successful bidders through competitive bidding.

"State owned Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) has commissioned four numbers of solar power projects with aggregate capacity of 19MWs, and yet to install 5 MW solar power plant at Kaginele, Haveri district.

"The State government is planning to establish solar parks in Bijapur, Gulbarga and Yadgir districts, in order to ensure to provide plug-n-play facility for speedy implementation of solar projects.

"The cities of Mysore and Hubli-Dharwar are covered under model solar-city programmes; and roof-top harvesting programmes are likely to be taken in these cities under Net-metering concept. Karnataka nodal agency KREDL has identified 1000 major buildings across the state for implementation of Solar PV projects of capacity more than 100kW. About 100 major commercial institutions have been identified for steam-cooking systems. Karnataka leads in the installation of solar water-heating systems in the country.

"KREDL proposed set up of a Solar Park in 5000 acres land in Bijapur district; and the State and Commerce & Industries Department is currently co-ordinating to get land and other pre-requisites on a top priority as facilitator.”

SOLARCON India 2012 kicks off in the presence of James CP Chen, VP, Solar Business Group, AUO Group, Taiwan; Dr. Martha Symko Davies, Solar business manager, NREL, USA; Ms. Bettina Weiss, VP, SEMI PV Group; William Polese, MD, Lux Research Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Singapore, and Debasish Paul Choudhury, president, SEMI India.

At SOLARCON India 2012, more than 100 companies will present their products on an exhibition space spread over 60,000 square feet. More than 5,000 visitors are expected to attend India's dazzling event on solar energy.

SEMI India facilitates the Government of Karnataka’s solar initiative to make Karnataka the next solar hub of India. Choudhury said: “SOLARCON INDIA 2012 is a platform to give voice to the solar manufacturing industry and eco-system in India, and to further serve the constituents through a wide range of initiatives, such as workforce development, industry standards, public policy, market research and environmental, health and safety (EHS) programs. Also, we are pleased with the proactive efforts by the Government of Karnataka to support, collaborate and aid the companies in the Solar eco-system.”

"An economy based on Hydro Carbon is unsustainable. We will be failing in our duty to the next generation unless we optimize the use of resources. The untapped potential in alternative sources of energy holds the key to a sustainable future. I complement SOLARCON India 2012 in helping re-focus on the issues that we now dwindle upon. I am sure the conference will throw up many more new ideas and suggestions, which will lead us the way forward," said M.N. Vidyashankar, principal secretary, Commerce & Industries Department, Governemnt of Karnataka.