We as AFASE, a coalition of over 150 European PV companies, are concerned about protectionist tendencies in the solar industry around the world. While the U.S. Department of Commerces final decision is limited only to solar cells made in China, and despite that the tariffs announced are, on average, below those set in the preliminary decision last May, this ruling will nevertheless have a damaging impact on the global solar industry, states Darren Thompson, Managing Director of Yingli Green Energy Europe, an AFASE member.
Open markets and a healthy competition have made solar energy affordable, not only in the U.S., but also in the European Union. Achieving energy independence while protecting the environment has long been a high priority for Europe, with solar power playing a key role. Affordable prices have now allowed solar energy to increase as a percentage of EU energy generation and have helped to create an innovative European solar industry with around 300.000 jobs. Trade barriers would raise prices for solar systems and endanger jobs and growth in this industry as well as threatening achievement of the EU 2020 targets.
The investigation of the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the anti-dumping proceeding concerning Chinese solar products in the European Union are not directly comparable. These are two separate procedures with different rules and technicalities. Therefore, one cannot draw any conclusion from the U.S. decision with respect to the investigation of the European Commission, Thompson adds.
