Speaking at the 9th SNEC International Photovoltaic Power Generation Conference & Exhibition in Shanghai on April 27th, 2015, EPIA President Oliver Schaefer outlined the new position of EPIA on the PV modules and solar cells trade case between China and the EU.
Schaefer stated that the European Photovoltaic Industry Association is a strong supporter of free and fair trade and would like to see PV trade relations between Europe and China return to normal undistorted, fair trade as soon as possible, when the duties and respective price undertaking expire in 2015.
End of the Minimum Import Price (MIP) and quota expected to support PV growth in Europe
Since December 2013, anti-dumping and countervailing duties have been applied in Europe on crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules and solar cells originating in or consigned from China.
An undertaking submitted by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) articulated around a Minimum Import Price (MIP) and quota was accepted by the EU.
The duties and MIP are due to expire in December 2015. European duties on Chinese solar products, and the associated price undertaking, are a likely factor in the slowdown in annual growth of installations in Europe, EPIA notes.
“The Board has agreed this position, as we believe that a return to a level playing field will help solar power in Europe to grow, and support the European electricity market in achieving its challenging emission reduction goals. Consumers will also be able to buy quality products manufactured at scale, at the best possible prices,” said Schaefer.
EPIA supports all actions that can contribute to increased solar job creation in Europe
EPIA estimates that employment in the solar sector comprised about 265 thousand full time jobs in 2011. More than half of these are now gone according to IEA estimates, the majority of them in the installation sector, which is labour intense. But the solar value chain offers economic growth and employment opportunities for Europe now.
“We support all actions that can contribute to increased solar job creation in Europe along the solar value chain,” said Schaefer.
“We believe that taking this position on the trade case supports this objective.”
Global value chains reflecting real costs of production and free from trade barriers are a prerequisite for economies of scale and related cost reductions, the industry association emphasizes.
“By having more competitive, high-quality solar panels from the world's leading companies from all over the world, we can increase the rate and quality of solar installations in Europe,” concluded Schaefer.
2015-04-27 | Courtesy: EPIA | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH
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