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

Premium
February 11, 2026
PV Talk: Wood Mackenzie’s Yana Hryshko argues that MENA is emerging as a solar manufacturing hub, driven, in part, by Chinese partnerships.
February 11, 2026
The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), previously known as the National Renewable Energy Lab, has laid off 134 employees.
February 11, 2026
China expects to add 180-240GW of new solar PV capacity in 2026, according to the latest figures from the CPIA.
February 11, 2026
India’s MNREA has released the fourth revision of its ALMM II for solar cells, increasing the total enlisted manufacturing capacity to 26GW. 
February 11, 2026
A round-up of a number of European project stories from this week, including METLEN, European Energy and TSE.
February 11, 2026
The UK government's Allocation round 7a (AR7a) of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction has awarded a record 4.9GW of solar PV.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
February 18, 2026
9am PST / 5pm GMT
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA