As more companies step forward to voice opinions regarding the petition filed with the US government by SolarWorld, the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) found support from 25 organizations as it announced its official founding. Aimed as a response to the anti-trade action SolarWorld is petitioning, CASE argues that the progression of such a petition would inhibit the growth and sustainability of the US solar market.
On its newly launched website, CASE posted its claim that, “Global competition is making affordable solar energy a reality in America and around the world. SolarWorld's action to block or dramatically curtail solar cell imports from China places that goal at risk. Protectionism harms the future of solar energy in America and negatively impacts consumers, ratepayers, and over 100,000 American solar jobs. The coalition is committed to growing a domestic solar industry, promoting innovation, and making solar an affordable option for all Americans.”
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Some of the companies aligned with CASE include Alpine Solar Energy, Canadian Solar, groSolar, MEMC/SunEdison, SolarFirst, Suntech America, SunRun, Trina Solar, Westinghouse and Yingli Americas. The organization pointed to a recent poll by PV Magazine, which concluded that 76% of the poll respondents opposed the filing of the petition by SolarWorld, with 20% of respondents siding with SolarWorld’s actions.
“There's been overwhelming opposition throughout the US solar industry to SolarWorld's short-sighted trade petition. The vast majority of the existing 100,000 jobs in the solar industry are in sales, marketing, design, installation, and maintenance. These jobs depend on affordably priced solar panels and companies would have to lay-off workers if panel prices rose as a result of this petition. We urge policymakers to find a resolution to this petition in a manner that preserves the US solar industry and solar investments,” said Jigar Shah, co-founder and Chairman of CASE and head of the carbon war room and founder of Sun Edison.
