EU ProSun jumps down China's throat on reported solar offer

Jul 9, 2013 - European solar industry association EU ProSun, the one that in 2012 called for anti-dumping duties for Chinese solar products, on Saturday accused the Chinese government of insulting the European solar sector.

The organisation cited media reports according to which China is offering a quota of as much as 10 GW for Chinese solar exports to Europe and a minimum price of EUR 0.50 (USD 0.64). “China insults Europe with a volume cap that might even exceed the entire EU market, at prices below the Chinese cost of production and transport,” said EU ProSun president Milan Nitzschke in a statement.

So far there has been no official statement. Several reports say that the European Union (EU) and China are negotiating an export quota and a minimum import price, though most do not cite any figures.

Last month, the EU decided to introduce import duties of between 37.2% and 67.9% on Chinese solar panels, cells and wafers. For two months starting on June 6, defined as a transitional period, Chinese solar imports are subject to a tariff of 11.8%. After August 6 the full duties, which stand at 47.6% on average, will be in force, unless China and the EU reach a compromise.

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