For the first time, the US Department of Commerce has issued a finding, ahead of the preliminary determination on duties, scheduled for March 2. In order to prevent “a massive, evasive surge of Chinese solar cell and panel imports”, the department has proposed that countervailing duties will apply to all imports of cells and modules from Chinese exporters that were brought into the United States starting December 3, 2011.
The Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) has commissioned an economic analysis to counter the petitions to the US Commerce Department and the US International Trade Commission by SolarWorld, demanding 250% tariffs on Chinese imports. The Brattle Group has found that a 100% tariff on imported solar PV cells and modules from China would result in as many as 50,000 net lost jobs in the US over the next three years. Furthermore, retaliatory tariffs placed on US exports of polysilicon to China would put nearly 11,000 more American jobs at risk in the first year following tariff imposition.
Following its win at the 2011 Solar Decathlon event, the University of Maryland has found a buyer for its winning entry, WaterShed. Pepco, the electric service provider, has purchased the solar-powered house and will transport the building to one of its facilities in Montgomery County, Maryland where it will act as a ‘living classroom’ to illustrate the clean energy possibilities.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice gave Timminco, and its subsidiary Bécancour Silicon, an extension of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act stay of proceedings. The stay proceeds will now be allowed to continue until April 30.
The US Department of Commerce has agreed to postpone the date for its preliminary decision on the CASM-led US versus China trade dispute to March 2, 2012. The original date of February 13 was deemed to soon by SolarWorld, the leader of the CASM movement, and the 18-day extension will delay the decision by the Department of Commerce.
National Solar Power and Liberty County, Florida, have entered into a 100MW solar energy project agreement. The project, representing a US$350 million investment at full build out, is National Solar Power’s third in Florida with the others being in Gadsden and Hardee counties.
Major materials provider to the PV industry, DuPont reported Electronics & Communications segment sales of US$630 million in the fourth quarter, a decline 18% compared to the same period last year, with 33% lower volume which was offset by 15% higher prices. PV related revenue represent about 40% of DuPont’s electronics segment sales. Management noted that material destocking at PV manufacturers had continued in the fourth quarter due to inventory issues, impacting pre-tax earnings, which were down from US$56 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 to US$42 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Eastman Chemical has completed its bid for the acquisition of performance materials and specialty chemicals company Solutia for an approximate total of US$4.7 billion – including debt – in order to fuel its expansion into the specialty chemicals and plastics sector. Solutia’s shares are said to have fallen by 25% in 2011, although the company was active in its acquisitions process, having finalized the takeover of Southwall Technologies late last year.
Over a year and a half ago, Japan brought its grievances against FiTs in the Canadian province of Ontario to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The EU has now joined the fray and the WTO Dispute Settlement Body has committed itself to establishing a panel to hear the EU’s claims against the apparent discriminatory nature of Ontario's FiTs. Formal panel proceedings, however, are not expected to start before the end of March.
ESA Renewables advised that it had not only completed its latest 500kW PV rooftop array in North Carolina, but has also sold the system, for an undisclosed amount, to Holocene. The 500kW array spreads over 55,867 square feet and uses 2,016 panels from Canadian Solar. Electricity from the array will be sold to Progress Energy Carolinas.
