NEWS I REVIEW
USA rule against Chinese solar imports
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has announced its preliminary findings on the case against Chinese solar imports that was initiated by German solar company SolarWorld. DOC has determined that there is a case to answer and suggest that Chinese companies have received subsidy of crystalline silicon PV cells from the government of China to such an extent as to negatively impact US manufacturers’ ability to fairly compete in the market. The announcement included plans to impose countervailing duties on Chinese solar panel imports into the USA ranging from 2.90% to 4.73%.
Two Chinese solar manufacturers, Suntech and Trina, were giving individual punitive tariff increases of 2.90% and 4.73% respectively. All other
manufacturers exporting into the USA can expect an extra 3.61% cost to their products. The case has divided the USA solar and PV community with both for and against camps being very vocal in their support or condemnation of the process. A big issue of concern for the naysayers was that a German company was able to bring such a case so easily in the USA courts despite the local opposition. All tariffs are retrospectively added for 90 days before the decision.
The DOC did choose to change the scope of the investigation to additionally add modules, laminates and panels produced in a third country where the cells were produced in China. The Chinese government has initiated its own investigation of price setting by the USA polysilicon manufacturers. There is no evidence that this decision will influence that on going case. Despite the apparent win for German based SolarWorld and their supporters, the punitive tariffs are a great deal less than they were anticipating and analysts expect the impact on solar costs in the USA to only increase up to 5%. Some analysts are predicting some Chinese manufacturers will just move operations to another country to avoid the tariffs but this is only speculation on their behalf.
The responses from the opposing USA coalitions on the subject have been revealing and not in agreement.
CIGS developer DayStar secures $500,000 funding
CIGS solar developer DayStar Technologies, has entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Sunlogics Power Fund Management.
The Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM) reacted as expected by claiming a huge win and hinting that other investigations in areas such as glass could add to the Chinese manufacturers woes.
"If we address unfair trade practices in the U.S. solar market, we can get back to our business of expanding American manufacturing and jobs," said Carlo Santoro, director of business development at MX Solar USA in Somerset, N.J., a founding manufacturing member of CASM. "We look forward to getting back to the fair and legal competition that serves everyone best."
The Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) unsurprisingly had the opposite opinion in response to the decision stating that the preliminary determination by the DOC imposing low tariffs on imported solar cells and modules is a relatively positive outcome for the U.S. solar industry and its 100,000 employees.
However, tariffs large or small will hurt American jobs and prolong our world’s reliance on fossil fuels. The group went on to suggest that this decision will not significantly raise solar prices in the United States as SolarWorld has sought.
CASE President Jigar Shah stated, ‘This decision clearly demonstrates that the Commerce Department did not find the Chinese government engaged in massive subsidization, as SolarWorld and CASM claim. There is more work to be done to protect the future of solar industry and power in America. There will be another decision in May when the Commerce Department announces anti-dumping duties. A recent study confirmed that placing artificially high tariffs on solar panels would severely undermine the US solar industry, resulting in the loss of up to 60,000 US jobs by 2014.’
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www.solar-international.net I Issue II 2012
Sunlogics Power Fund Management has loaned the Company $500,000 for payment of outstanding liabilities and other working capital purposes.
Salamon Group, a subsidiary of Sunlogics Power Fund Management, is a fund that provides investments to companies in the solar industry.
It is a project-acquiring partner of Sunlogics PLC and its subsidiary, as well as other third party project developers, specialising in the design, development and operation of solar energy solutions. These include rooftop and ground mount solar power systems.
In addition to the Purchase Agreement, Sunlogics Power Fund Management has entered into a consulting arrangement with DayStar to assist the management of the Company with business development and also with exploring and evaluating strategic opportunities.
DayStar Chairman and Interim CEO, Peter Lacey, comments, “We are pleased to announce this relationship with Sunlogics Power Fund Management and are excited about the opportunities it presents to our shareholders and other stakeholders.”
“We look forward to working with the Sunlogics team to explore strategic transactions which we believe will benefit the shareholders of both companies.”
Sunlogics Power Fund Management CEO, Michael Matvieshen, concludes, “We are very excited to make this investment and look forward to working with the DayStar team to develop mutually beneficial business opportunities.”
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