Anti-dumping and Anti-subsidy duties on Chinese solar products extended for 18 months

An important decision for European solar manufacturing

Trade defence measures against dumping and illegal subsidies on Chinese solar modules and cells from the People’s Republic of China will continue after the final decision was taken by the EU Commission during the first week of March. The measures imposed by the EU on crystalline solar imports from China will remain in place for a further 18 months.

“The Chinese companies have clearly been distorting the market and creating unfair competition,” said Milan Nitzschke, President of EU ProSun, adding, “We applaud the final decision by the EU to continue trade defence measures for as long as dumping takes place in our market”.

EU ProSun put the spotlight on the need for competition and a level playing field with China as a prerequisite for the solar industry in Europe, and for other countries to be able to develop their own industries.

“Handled accurately, zhe partial interim review by the European Commission, which was initiated in parallel, can lead to more transparency and predictability in the market,” pointed out Mr Nitzschke. “It is very important that minimum import prices can be set and enforced in a more efficient way than today. This must be in the interest of all parties. Further adjustments of the minimum prices must be in line with technological progress,” Mr Nitzschke stressed.

“Advances in the sector have been based on continuous investment in R&D technology; this is something that European manufacturers have prided themselves on,” said Mr Nitzschke. “This investment has led to enormous cost reductions over the last ten years. As a consequence, today, photovoltaic energy is one of the most affordable energy sources in Europe,” he pointed out.

Despite the innovations of recent years, European demand has nearly stagnated, and in some cases decreased in some markets, as a direct result of unstable political frameworks and miscommunication.

Prices for solar installations and solar electricity in Europe today are lower than in most parts of the world, especially compared to ‘boom’ markets such as the United States and Japan. According to reports in Bloomberg, solar installations in China are more expensive than those in Germany.

“Critics of Europe’s anti-dumping measures have tried to create the impression that prices in Europe are extremely high because of anti-dumping- and anti-subsidy measures. However, as every active player in the market knows, this is not true,” clarified Mr Nitzschke. “These untruths must be stopped,” Nitzschke stressed.

EU ProSun represents more than 30 solar manufactures in Europe and about 80 percent of the European cell production, as well as more than 200 installers.

In the future, bigger DESERT power plants will be set up on Brazilian soil, and together with existing turnkey production systems, they intend to take up a large share of the products and assets this sector will possess locally. J.v.G. Thoma plans to build up a local network of sales agents that can extend a premium offering to neighbouring countries in South America. Eventually, the company hopes to be able to expand its customer base to clients in North America.

Hans Thoma, general manager from the Thoma-group, is eager to acquire a substantial market share in Brazil, a growing country with tremendous potential for solar energy output. Having complied with local official procedures (Inmetro, TÜV, Fraunhofer CSP) and cleared the way for future business collaboration, he expresses his hope that the solar industry will henceforth expand quickly.

”Being able to introduce Brazil to the infinite opportunities of a solar industry is a privilege for J.v.G. Thoma GmbH, and one that we are extremely grateful for. At the same time, this placed the ball squarely in our court, and the pressure to get the ball rolling quickly was high. Now that the lengthy initial formalities are out of the way, we can focus on making this project a success.“

The first DESERT solar module production in BRAZIL! Lets go ....

J.v.G. Thoma GmbH is delivering a DESERT turnkey production line to Brazil, the first of its kind and hopefully the first in many breakthroughs to leave the factory floor on their way to the largest country in South America. With a capacity of 30 MW, this is a small semi-automatic DESERT production line, but still a flagship in terms of DESERT solar module production and electricity generation in the country, now fully functional and ready to start with operation.

The machinery consists of DESERT production machines for high-efficiency DESERT solar modules built specifically for extreme hot climate, such as can be seen in deserts or in tropical areas. Made solely in Germany and built using the latest in DESERT and TROPIC module production, the systems inlcudes all cutting-edge technology.

Certified DESERT solar modules, DESERT containers, DESERT power plants and DESERT manufacturing machinery built using pioneering DESERT and TROPICS technology are now fully set up, and ready to perform. But powering on the machinery has been a long time coming. Up until recently, this advanced piece of equipment had been waiting for clearance at a port in Brazil. Now that the formalities have been dealt with, both J.v.G. Thoma and its customer in Brazil can get production under way.

J.v.G. Thoma GmbH is a company whose vision has always been to harness the infinite power of the sun and convert it into an inexhaustible supply of energy. But a vision such as this requires global reach, and this project has opened new doors. Brazil is not only a gateway to South American cooperation, but also the launchpad to international reach and expansion.

Following the delivery of this initial order, J.v.G. Thoma GmbH will be looking forward to an ongoing collaboration with the Brazilian company. From setup and initial training to setting the scene for a ramp up, J.v.G. Thoma will be there to provide expertise and assistance. Moreover, the company will be jointly responsible, along with the client, for the successful integration of the DESERT solar module factory.

In the future, bigger DESERT power plants will be set up on Brazilian soil, and together with existing turnkey production systems, they intend to take up a large share of the products and assets this sector will possess locally. J.v.G. Thoma plans to build up a local network of sales agents that can extend a premium offering to neighbouring countries in South America. Eventually, the company hopes to be able to expand its customer base to clients in North America.

Hans Thoma, general manager from the Thoma-group, is eager to acquire a substantial market share in Brazil, a growing country with tremendous potential for solar energy output. Having complied with local official procedures (Inmetro, TÜV, Fraunhofer CSP) and cleared the way for future business collaboration, he expresses his hope that the solar industry will henceforth expand quickly.

”Being able to introduce Brazil to the infinite opportunities of a solar industry is a privilege for J.v.G. Thoma GmbH, and one that we are extremely grateful for. At the same time, this placed the ball squarely in our court, and the pressure to get the ball rolling quickly was high. Now that the lengthy initial formalities are out of the way, we can focus on making this project a success.“

The first DESERT solar module production in BRAZIL! Let

Source: EU ProSun