European solar firms, EC to discuss effects of Chinese duties on Jul 17

Jul 16, 2013 - More than 30 European solar firm will be in Brussels tomorrow to discuss with the European Commission (EC) the job losses and reduced orders caused by the anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar equipment.

Sector group the Alliance for Affordable Solar (AFASE), which has been fighting against the punitive tariffs for months, is organising the EC hearing. In a statement on Tuesday AFASE gave German project developer Gehrlicher Solar AG’s recent insolvency filing as an example of the negative effect that the levies are having on European companies.

In early June, the European Union (EU) said it would introduce anti-dumping 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.

Dennis Gieselaar, managing director of Dutch company Oskomera Solar Power Solutions, said that most downstream companies were already hurting. “The vast majority of EU installers cannot afford to absorb duties, even at the current level of 11,8%. For most of the downstream players, net profits are well below 10%” Gieselaar said. He added that photovoltaics (PV) installers and project firms cannot magically transfer to a totally different activity such as wind farms.

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