CNPV Solar Power has become the next target of accusations levied at it from The Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM). The China-based integrated manufacturer of solar PV products has denied the allegations made in a trade action against suppliers of crystalline silicon PV cells and modules from the People's Republic of China.
CNPV has said: “We are currently reviewing the petition with our legal counsel and will be prepared to respond vigorously if an investigation is initiated. We reject any allegations in the petition with regard to CNPV’s business conduct. CNPV is confident that it has been conducting its business activities in the United States and throughout the world in full accordance with international trade practices and that this fact will be validated within the proceedings.”
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This follows CNPV's recent entering into an agreement with a US manufacturerin September, whereby CNPV signed a contract with Solar Solutions and Distribution for residential and commercial installations. However, at present, CNPV is in the process of reviewing the antidumping and countervailing duties petition in the US against Chinese competitors.
Other China-based exporters of PV products include Jinko and Suntech. Unfortunately for Jinko, one of its cell manufacturing plants in Haining, China, recently suffered a fluoride wastewater leak which is tainting its defence against the allegations. Suntech’s response was similar to that of CNPV; the company will continue to build on its existing relationships with US companies but pointed out that, “Anyone can file one of these actions; having filed an action is in no way a validation from the US government as to the merits of the action.”
The Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing was initiated by Oregon-based SolarWorld, which has formed a union with six other US manufacturers, who remain anonymous. It claims China will destroy the American jobs market and manufacturing opportunities with further assertions of bypassing US-level manufacturing standards for labour, quality and the environment.
