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

November 18, 2025
Holosolis has secured €220 million (US$255.2 million) to support its construction of a module factory in France with a total capacity of 5GW.
November 18, 2025
Tata Power Renewable Energy has commissioned a 300MW solar PV project for Indian hydropower company NHPC in Rajasthan. 
November 18, 2025
JinkoSolar shipped just over 20GW of solar PV modules in the third quarter of this year, down sequentially from the previous quarter.
Premium
November 18, 2025
PV Talk: George Touloupas of Intertek CEA explains how the regulatory environment is ratcheting up for the solar supply chain.
November 18, 2025
The 94MW Gunsynd Solar Farm has been registered in AEMO's Market Management System as the Queensland project prepares for commissioning.
November 17, 2025
Renewable energy developer SunCable has signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with the Powell Creek Native Title Holders, marking a milestone for the company’s AAPowerLink project in Australia's Northern Territory.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA