Joint statement by photovoltaic giants: There is no dumping in China’s photovoltaic industry

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Joint statement by photovoltaic industry leaders: No dumping in China’s photovoltaic sector Author: Shi Yanjun Source: China Chemical Industry News Date: July 31, 2012 According to China Chemical Industry News, in response to Solarworld’s request for an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese photovoltaic products exported to the EU, on July 26, four major domestic photovoltaic companies—Jinko Solar, Suntech Power, Trina Solar, and JA Solar—on behalf of over 40 other photovoltaic enterprises in the industry issued a public statement. They urged the EU to consider the long-term implications of such an action, as well as the interests of Sino-European trade cooperation and those related to addressing climate change, energy crises, and sustainable development. They also called on China to take proactive and decisive measures to protect the legitimate rights of its companies to fair competition in international markets. 　　The four major photovoltaic companies stated in a declaration that the photovoltaic industry is at a critical stage of transformation and upgrading, and any actions that restrict the market will put the entire industry at risk. They said that the photovoltaic industry is an industry of the world, and countries are part of a community with shared interests in developing it. In 2011, the total value of EU exports to China of photovoltaic equipment and raw materials amounted to $7.5 billion. In recent years, the EU has also been in a surplus position in photovoltaic trade. Looking at the value chain of the entire photovoltaic industry, China, which has advantages in scale and manufacturing, focuses its production mainly on the module stage. The value added in its production is $0.2 to $0.3 per watt; given that the current international average installation cost for solar power systems is $2.5 to $3 per watt, China accounts for only 8% to 10% of the entire photovoltaic value chain. 　　The statement also emphasized that there are no such things as illegal subsidies or dumping in China’s photovoltaic industry. Prior to this, in response to the U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing investigations, Chinese photovoltaic companies had provided the authorities with a large amount of factual evidence. Industry experts point out that Chinese photovoltaic products are widely recognized and favored by consumers around the world, mainly due to their better cost-performance ratio, higher product quality, and more comprehensive after-sales service. 　　It is understood that the European Union is the main export market for China’s photovoltaic products. In 2011, nearly 60% of China’s export value of photovoltaic products, amounting to almost $35.8 billion, went to the European Union. If the EU follows the United States in launching anti-dumping investigations against China’s photovoltaic industry, it will deal a fatal blow to that industry.