SolarWorld Americas preps to boost production after trade vote

US crystalline-silicon solar manufacturer SolarWorld Americas Inc today announced plans to start ramping up production and hiring up to 200 employees by May 2018, following the International Trade Commission’s (ITC) Friday ruling.

The company said in a statement that by the end of the ramp it will be employing some 500 Americans. It noted that its decision to boost production is also based on “strong sales volumes and committed vendor relationships”.

In a 4-0 vote on Friday, US trade commissioners agreed that the increased imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells, partially or fully assembled into other products, are hurting the domestic solar industry. The ITC is now expected to hold a public hearing on possible trade remedies on October 3 and then make recommendations to President Donald Trump by November 13, 2017.

ITC’s determination was made following a Section 201 petition filed by Suniva Inc and SolarWorld Americas in April, which sought relief against solar imports from all geographic sources.

“Friday’s determination made clear that the U.S. industry’s problems have not been self-inflicted, but rather are the result of surging imports,” commented Juergen Stein, CEO and president of SolarWorld Americas.

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