Solarworld confirms anti-dumping complaint against Chinese PV firms - report

Jul 26, 2012 - Milan Nitzschke, a spokesman for Solarworld AG (ETR:SWV) confirmed today reports that the German photovoltaic (PV) group has filed a complaint against Chinese competitors with the European Commission (EC), Handelsblatt said.

According to the daily, Solarworld is leading a group of some 25 European sector companies which blame Chinese PV firms for distorting competition by selling products below cost. German insolvent solar firm Sovello is also part of the group.

The EC has 45 days, or until the middle of September, to decide whether to accept the complaint, while a preliminary ruling on the matter could then be expected by June 2013 at the latest.

If the EC rules in favour of the European companies, it could impose punitive tariffs on Chinese rivals retroactively.

The Alliance for Affordable Solar Energy (AFASE) is firmly against punitive tariffs, the newspaper added and quoted Gregory Spanoudakis, AFASE member and European chief of Canadian Solar Inc (NASDAQ:CSIQ), who said open markets are essential for affordable solar energy and the achievement of Europe's climate protection goals.

Spanoudakis believes protectionism would result in higher prices and affect both consumer and state budgets, Handelsblatt said.

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