Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. Solar Energy News .




SOLAR DAILY
China probes EU solar imports
by Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) Nov 1, 2012


China announced Thursday a trade investigation into European exports of solar-grade polysilicon, escalating a bitter trade row with the EU which has unveiled a similar probe into Chinese products.

The probe into the product, a key material used in the making of solar cells, is the latest in a series of trade disputes between China and its Western trading partners, including autos, steel and rare earth minerals.

The commerce ministry said in a statement that it would examine whether firms from the European Union sold the products at artificially low prices in China.

It will also investigate alleged subsidies received by the EU producers and exporters and probe any damages caused to Chinese companies. The findings will help the ministry "come to a just ruling according to the law".

The probes were launched after complaints by Chinese polysilicon producers that included claims that EU firms received German government subsidies and favourable loans from the European Investment Bank, a separate ministry statement said.

European companies that may be affected must register to respond within the next 20 days and report values and quantities of the products they sold in China between July 1 last year and June 30, it said.

The ministry aims to complete the investigations in one year or a maximum of 18 months if "unusual conditions" come into play, it added.

The row in the solar sector between China and the European Union escalated after Brussels in September launched an investigation into whether Chinese companies were selling panels in Europe at up to 80 percent below actual cost.

EU ProSun, which groups European makers and called for the anti-dumping probe, has also filed an official complaint with the European Commission over alleged illegal subsidies to Chinese firms.

Beijing reacted sharply to the EU investigation, warning that restricting Chinese solar battery products would harm both sides.

More than 60 percent of China's $35.8 billion of solar product exports went to the EU last year, according to Chinese industry figures, while the country imported $7.5 billion-worth of European solar equipment and raw materials.

China has also urged the United States to rescind hefty anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on Chinese solar-cell makers.

The US Commerce Department this year announced penalties that include anti-dumping taxes at between 18 percent and 250 percent to offset the impact of alleged unfair competitive edges of Chinese firms.

The measures are still up for confirmation by the US International Trade Commission, which is expected to rule this month.

Beijing on July 20 launched its own investigation into alleged US subsidies for and dumping of solar-grade polysilicon, in an apparent tit-for-tat reaction to the US taxes.

In a significant development, the EU, the US and Japan in June asked the WTO to help resolve a dispute over Beijing's export controls on rare earths, which are used in the making of high-tech products.

.


Related Links
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








SOLAR DAILY
Stanford scientists build the first all-carbon solar cell
Stanford CA (SPX) Nov 01, 2012
Stanford University scientists have built the first solar cell made entirely of carbon, a promising alternative to the expensive materials used in photovoltaic devices today. "Carbon has the potential to deliver high performance at a low cost," said study senior author Zhenan Bao, a professor of chemical engineering at Stanford. "To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstratio ... read more


SOLAR DAILY
Biofuel breakthrough: Quick cook method turns algae into oil

Switching to an energy crop: Break even or make a profit?

New enzyme 'produces more fuel from less corn,' Danish company says

Scientists build 'nanobowls' to protect catalysts needed for better biofuel production

SOLAR DAILY
Advanced exoskeleton promises more independence for people with paraplegia

Powered exoskeleton helps paralyzed walk

Robots in the Home: Will Older Adults Roll Out the Welcome Mat?

Canada, NASA in space rover talks

SOLAR DAILY
China backs suit against Obama over wind farm deal

DNV KEMA awarded framework agreement for German wind project developer SoWiTec

Sandia Labs benchmark helps wind industry measure success

Bigger wind turbines make greener electricity

SOLAR DAILY
Mazda in profit, cuts sales outlook on China row

Nissan chief wary of China amid island row: report

Wireless system charges electric vehicles

China approves Chery-JLR joint auto venture

SOLAR DAILY
The hunt for electron holes

Maurel Prom reveals approach for Gabon oil assets, report names suitor Sinopec

Iraq, Kuwait battle over gulf megaports

BG Group says it sells Queensland gas interests to China's CNOOC

SOLAR DAILY
U.S. nuclear energy safety questioned

US nuclear plant exits 'alert' after storm waters recede

Hitachi enters Britain's nuclear sector

Fukushima operator TEPCO slashes loss forecast

SOLAR DAILY
Sustainable cities must look beyond city limits

Outside View: Energy companies' taxes

Virgin Group and Rosnano announce joint investment fund

Efforts to mitigate climate change must target energy efficiency

SOLAR DAILY
Action needed to prevent more devastating tree diseases entering the UK

Inspiration from Mother Nature leads to improved wood

Brazil's Indians appeal for help to stop eviction

Sting forces venue switch in Philippines tree row




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement