US introduces heavy tariffs against Chinese solar panels

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » 18 May 2012, 11:55

The Guardian - 17/05/12

The Obama administration imposed heavy tariffs on Chinese solar panels on Thursday, after finding that China is flooding the market with government subsidised products.

The preliminary decision, that China had dumped solar products on the US for less than the cost of manufacture, will result in tariffs of between 31% and 250% on Chinese imports.

It was seen on Thursday as a mixed blessing.

US solar panel makers, who brought the original complaint, are expected to benefit. But the tariffs, by forcing up prices, are expected to slow the adoption of solar power more generally.

There were also fears the move could lead to a broader US-Chinese trade war.

Article continues ...

cubes · Post by **cubes** » 19 May 2012, 13:32

Who cares if they're subsidies by the chinese government - they NEED the panels at a cheap price if they want to make more than the most token of effects.

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » 21 May 2012, 05:57

Scientific American - 20/05/12

Why Tariffs on Chinese Photovoltaics Are Bad for the Planet

Article continues ...

Post by **adam2** » 09 May 2013, 07:55

Looks like similar action is being contemplated by the EU, re subsidised Chinese PV.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22445640

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 10 May 2013, 15:03

Does this mean "buy now while they're cheap"?

Post by **adam2** » 10 May 2013, 15:16

Possibly, yes.
OTOH, PV is becoming more and more popular and prices may fall due to the benifits of competition and mass production, without any chinese subsidy or dumping.

Many developing countries have daily power shortages and blackouts, often due to shortage of water for hydroelectric plant.
This is an ideal application for utility scale PV, no need for storage nor any concerns re the variable output of PV. Every MWH generated thus is a corresponding amount of water not used and still behind the dam for use at night.
This is a huge market that has scarcely been tapped as yet.

Post by **clv101** » 10 May 2013, 16:55

This is an interesting one. I suspect the EU won't put an import tariff on. There are a lot of countries and companies in Europe who don't manufacture panels and quite like the fact cheap panels can be imported. Their profits come from installation etc. and the countries quite like the significant amounts of power PV is now able to offer.

There are also indications that Chinese state subsidies are shrinking slowly.

Panels can currently be bought for £0.70/watt. If you've got a secure garage, it might be a good idea to buy some in anticipation of 47% price hike in June!

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 10 May 2013, 17:07

I read somewhere recently that Germany was producing panels as cheaply as the Chinese.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 10 May 2013, 17:39

clv101 wrote: If you've got a secure garage, it might be a good idea to buy some in anticipation of 47% price hike in June!

Hey they could be the larger denomination of the new unit of currency! How many Teacakes in an 80wp

?

Post by **clv101** » 28 May 2013, 14:41

More new on this here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22684663

It seems like the duties are going to be put in place... despite most countries likely to either vote against or abstain. Don't quite understand what's going on.

Post by **clv101** » 30 Jul 2013, 12:28

China and EU reach new solar power deal:
http://www.dw.de/china-and-eu-reach-new ... a-16986091

There's a minimum price limit, which seems to be similar to the current price and a limit of 7 GW per year - which probably won't be too limiting in the immediate future. Certainly seems better than the proposed 47.6% tariff.