SolarWorld plans to take anti-dumping case to European Commission

January 11, 2012
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

SolarWorld is planning to expand its fight against China-based solar module rivals currently being played out in the US to Europe. According to reports from German publication, Handelsblatt and reported by various news agencies, SolarWorld’s CEO, Frank Asbeck was said to be seeking support from other European-based companies to take an anti-dumping case to the European Commission’s competition agency.

Rumours of the move have been circling of such an action since SolarWorld and a group of unidentified companies filed a petition in the US on the same grounds last year.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Asbeck was reported to have highlighted the massive inventory build in module seen last year as overcapacity hit the industry. Over 50% of solar modules are made in China, according to industry market analysts.

Rapid price declines across the PV supply chain in 2011 have led to quarterly financial losses since the second quarter of last year, as well as bankruptcies, factory closures and industry consolidation.

 

SolarWorld, recently halted production in the US in face of strong competition from Chinese imported modules and has reduced manufacturing capacity and halted wafer production in Germany. 
 
Only this week, the German Network operator released preliminary new PV system installation figures for 2011, noting 7.5GW of new PV systems were installed last year, with 3GW alone installed in December, 2011 a new monthly and annual record, despite FiT cuts of 15%. 

Read Next

December 12, 2025
A roundup of three solar PV project financing stories from Australia, Texas and California, with updates from Potentia Energy, Origis Energy and Baywa r.e.  
December 12, 2025
A round-up of news coming from Europe, with IPP Encavis acquiring a 265MW solar PV portfolio in Italy, Iberdrola starting construction on 366MW of solar PV in its home country and IPP Sonnedix signing a renewables supply agreement with a subsidiary of Volkswagen in Spain.
December 12, 2025
India’s flagship solar PV manufacturing incentive has driven “robust growth” in the sector since its launch, but hurdles remain to building a complete domestic supply chain.
December 12, 2025
Solar PV companies in the US are not waiting for guidance from the US Departments of the Treasury or Energy to act regarding Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC), according to a survey conducted by Crux.
December 12, 2025
US solar PV module prices have stabilised at just over US$0.28/W in the three months to November 2025, according to Anza.
December 11, 2025
The Chinese polysilicon industry has emerged with a new "inventory platform" with a RMB30 billion capital aimed at increasing prices.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
December 17, 2025
2pm GMT / 3pm CET
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA