Chinese PV companies respond to US tariffs

Nanjing (CNS) -- The US Commerce Department announced on Tuesday that it was imposing tariffs on Chinese photovoltaic solar panels starting March 19, at rates ranging from 2.9 to 4.73 percent. China's three major PV companies, Suntech Power, Yingli Green Energy (YGE) and Trina Solar Limited (TSL) responded in the two days following.

SolarWorld Industries America LP, a provider of solar-electric systems, and six other US companies pressured the US government to make the decision on tariffs. They said Chinese companies were selling solar panels in the US at prices lower than the cost of making those products and were benefitting from illegal government subsidies.

Andrew Beebe, chief commercial officer of Suntech Power, said the trade barrier will hinder the majority of Americans from having choices of cleaner and safer energy provided by both domestic and foreign companies. He also said his company has a production base in Arizona, which means they will not be affected by the tariff.

The preliminary decision means TSL's solar cell imports to the US are subject to a 4.73% tariff. "The US International Trade Commission will ultimately determine whether our PV company threatens its US counterparts," said its chief commercial officer Mark Kingsley.

Robert Petrina, general manager of the US subsidiary of YGE, also showed equanimity. "No matter what the final result is, we will continue to explore the US PV market," he said.