Solarworld files petition against Chinese PV firms in Europe - report

Jul 25, 2012 - German photovoltaic (PV) group Solarworld AG (ETR:SWV) has filed a petition with the European Commission (EC) against Chinese competitors, online news service Recharge reported today.

Solarworld has filed the complaint together with several other PV companies from Europe, which were not named.

The complaints against the Chinese competitors are that they are selling their products in Europe below manufacturing cost.

The EC decision about a potential formal investigation against the Chinese firms is expected in the next 45 days.

Solarworld was said to be contemplating a complaint in Europe since it won a case against Chinese competitors in the United States in May this year. Then, the US Department of Commerce imposed preliminary punitive tariffs on Chinese solar module firms, ranging from 30% to 250%. Solarworld filed the US complaint with a group of local sector players.

Germany's environment minister Peter Altmaier has spoken of the possibility of imposing punitive tariffs for Chinese solar companies as well.

According to Recharge, experts believe such tariffs could be imposed in the EU not earlier than the spring of 2013.

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