Canadian Solar, ReneSola and ET Solar officially removed from EU trade deal

Canadian Solar, ReneSola and ET Solar have been officially removed from the settlement deal between China and the EU that allowed companies to avoid punitive trade duties.

The three were cited by the EU in March for a variety of reasons. After receiving comment from the trio and the branch of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce (CCCME) that negotiated the deal, they have now been officially removed.

The undertaking, agreed in 2013, bound companies to selling into Europe above a minimum import price (MIP) and to keep sales within an annual quota. Manufacturers outside the agreement must pay a 47.6% trade tariff.

ReneSola was cited because its original equipment manufacturing (OEM) model was deemed too difficult to administer. Canadian Solar was reported to be offering unreported, parallel sales alongside its modules to effectively reduce the price. ET Solar was found to be selling modules as part of completed solar projects without reporting them. All three contested the claims.

On Thursday a Chinese official told PV Tech that it would publish a new list of companies still in the undertaking next week and that it was expected to shrink.

There were rumours in March that as many as 22 solar companies were under investigation for customs offences by the European anti-fraud office (OLAF).