Avinash Hiranandani, managing director, RenewSys India, discusses the production of 5-busbar (BB) solar PV cells in India and the potential ramifications of the anti-dumping petition recently filed by Indian manufacturers.
China has responded to India’s initiation of an anti-dumping investigation relating to solar cells and module imports from China, Taiwan and Malaysia, labelling it an “abuse of trade remedy measures”, but also seeking to cooperate in resolving the trade issue.
India is now considering imposing safeguard duties on the import of solar cells and modules from China and certain other countries, while it continues contemplating imposing anti-dumping measures.
Delegations from the US and India have agreed that India has until 14 December this year to enact the ruling of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against its local content policy for solar equipment.
Anything from duties to a minimum import price (MIP) on solar imports are being sought by India’s anti-dumping petitioners, but there are concerns around circumvention of an MIP if introduced, according to a person close to the issue.
UPDATED: India solar manufacturers have filed an anti-dumping petition with the Ministry of Trade and Commerce against Chinese solar cells and modules, according to a report from consultancy firm Mercom Capital Group, although no official notification has been released so far.
Suniva’s request for the US government to place levies on global solar imports is an “abuse of trade remedies”, a spokesperson for China’s ministry of commerce has said.
Having confirmed the 18-month extension of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on imports of Chinese solar cells and modules, the European Commission (EC) has initiated a partial interim review into what form the punitive duties should take.
The European Commission has confirmed that it will extend its anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on cells and modules imported from China by 18 months, a reduction form the 24 months first proposed.
The Minimum Import Price (MIP) agreement between the EU and Chinese solar manufacturers requires urgent reform as the 3 March extension deadline draws near.
Some of Europe’s leading NGOs have thrown their weight behind lobbying efforts to see the removal of anti-dumping measures attached to solar modules and cells.
