Stion of US to ramp up solar manufacturing after duties for China

Jun 12, 2014 - US firm Stion Corp said yesterday it will boost its copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) solar module production capacity for the second half of 2014 in view of the recently-announced punitive tariffs on imports of Chinese solar equipment.

Stion explained in a statement that it is preparing for a jump in demand in 2015.

Earlier this month, the US Department of Commerce unveiled preliminary anti-dumping duties of up to 35.21% on China-made solar products, including photovoltaic (PV) panels assembled with cells from Taiwan. Wuxi Suntech Power Co and five of its affiliated companies will be subject to the highest duty, while Trina Solar Ltd (NYSE:TSL) faces a rate of 18.56%, according to the preliminary ruling. All other Chinese solar manufacturers will pay a duty of 26.89% for selling their products into the US market.

Stion noted that, as a result of the imposed tariffs, certain solar projects may be delayed or lose their funding if their developers fail to find an alternative to China-made equipment.

The US company has designed its Elevation series CIGS thin-film panels in San Jose, California and manufactures them in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The company sells modules at home and internationally.

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