News Article
Solar Industry Across Europe Voices Concern
The STA has joined with eight other solar trade associations from across Europe in sending an open letter to European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, expressing deep concerns from across the industry about the potential outcome of the European Commission's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations against Chinese solar manufacturers.
The letter describes the damage the EU Commission's investigation has already had; highlighting how the new registration requirements and the threat of retrospective duties have caused orders to be cancelled, contracts to be suspended and created uncertainty that is stifling business.
Our members overwhelmingly indicate that duties at any level are already having a significant impact, dwarfing any possible benefit for European solar producers and setting back the objective for grid parity for years.
Paul Barwell, CEO of the STA said:"The current uncertainty is undermining the industry at all levels. The allegations of dumping simply do not stack up but in the meantime we are facing real difficulties. The STA has signed this letter in an effort to bring home to the Commission the strength of the industry's views and we hope the Commission will take note."
The letter and list of signatories are available below, or via the link on the STA website.
1. Solar Trade Association (STA) of the United Kingdom,
2. Gruppo Imprese Fotovoltaiche Italiane (GIFI),
3. Associazioni di Produttori di Energia Rinnovabile (APER),
4. Associazioni Nazionale dell'Industria Fotovoltaica (Assosolare),
5. Romanian Association for Green Energy and Sustainable Development,
6. Polish Society for Photovoltaics (Polskie Towarzystwo Fotowoltaiki - PV Polska),
7. Hungarian Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Association (Magyar Szolár Szövetség),
8. Swedish Trade Federation (Svensk Handel).
9. Slovak Association of Photovoltaic Industry (SAPI).
