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Solar Manufacturing Battle Heats Up

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Electrical Construction and Maintenance


Michael Eby

Mike Eby, Editor-in-Chief


Tue, 2011-11-22 16:25

Group of solar manufacturers file trade complaint with U.S. International Trade Commission
I recently received quite a few passionate "Letters to the Editor" in reference to one of our safety spent a couple
of days last month at the Solar Power International Show in Dallas. It was the first time Ive attended one of
these events. Id heard this show was big, but had no idea how big until I walked from one end of the Dallas
Convention Center to the other several times, both days!
My goal in attending was to: get a better handle on the products and services being offered in this sector; expand
my knowledge of the technical challenges in the areas of manufacturing, design and installation; and learn a
little more about the financial, legislative, and regulatory issues surrounding this market. The time I spent on the
exhibit floor and in the conference sessions was well worth the effort. In fact, a breaking news announcement
made during the show has proven to be quite controversial.
A group of seven solar manufacturers, known as the Coalition of American Solar Manufacturing (CASM) filed a
trade complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the Department of Commerce on
October 19, claiming that subsidies in China are allowing Chinese manufacturers to illegally dump their solar
products in the U.S. market and drive out other competitors. In quick response to this trade petition, the Solar
Energy Industries Association (SEIA) conducted a briefing for show attendees to explain the filing and the
review process. As you might imagine, this session and subsequent announcements in recent weeks have created
quite a stir.
Following this filing, theres been a flurry of activity among the manufacturers, designers, and installers in this
green market sector. On November 7, the CASM announced the United Steelworkers Union is supporting its
cause, along with approximately 75 other employers. CASM also claims federal trade data shows Chinese
exports into the United States in July alone exceeded all of 2010. On November 8, two executives from
SolarWorld Industries America, Inc., Hillsboro, Ore., testified before the ITC on behalf of the group. The
Commerce Department agreed to launch an investigation into the matter. On the same day, a rival group of 25
companies formed the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE). This group notes global competition is
making affordable solar energy a reality in America and around the world, and any action to block or
dramatically curtail solar cell imports from China places that goal at risk. They view this trade complaint as
being short-sighted and warn it could lead to higher-priced components and slow down market growth.
All of this action has forced those in the solar sector to take up sides in this heated debate. Which side will
prevail? We should have an answer to this question fairly soon. On December 5, the ITC will issue a ruling on its
initial findings. If it finds in favor of the CASM petition, then additional investigation work will continue.
Which side of the fence am I standing on? At first glance, I understand the concern of the CASM and agree that

07-03-15 6:01 PM

Solar Manufacturing Battle Heats Up

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http://ecmweb.com/print/content/solar-manufacturing-battle-heats

the Chinese government must properly disclose the subsidies its dishing out. On the other hand, the CASE
groups argument makes sense too. If any additional roadblocks to growth are thrown up based on this filing,
then I can easily see this leading to a market slowdown. So I guess Im sitting on the fence right now instead of
standing on either side of it. How about sharing your thoughts with me and moving me out of my position of
limbo?
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07-03-15 6:01 PM

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