“No, and it would be hugely surprising if Europe chose to snub China, but it’s impossible to speculate. Anti-dumping legislation would damage, and potentially kill, the solar industry globally.”
Nick Boyle, ceo, Lightsource Renewable Energy
“With the prospect of duty being levied on Chinese goods, this brings another period of uncertainty to the market. It must be said, however, that the continual lowering of prices by module manufacturers has been equally damaging. Perhaps the anti-dumping tax will level the playing field.”
Steve Griffiths, sales and marketing director, Tritec
“Whilst it is a social requirement for Chinese manufacturers to operate on a level playing field, the news is untimely when we are focusing on pushing PV as cost-effective. However, PV has been at an unprecedented low price and it will very much remain a viable option.”
Lee Baxter, general manager, Myriad Solar PV
“Escalating a trade war with China through targeted import tariffs will not assist anyone, especially not the European consumer who will be left with rocketing prices for installation as solar cells come into short supply.”
Mark Elliott, director, Energeno
“In principle I agree with the EU investigation. Unfortunately I can’t afford principles and I think it’s another uncertainty that the solar world could well do without in this period of economic uncertainty and energy insecurity. A more timely intervention would have been welcomed.”
Suzanne Burgess, director, Solway Renewable Energy
“The PV industry is growing dramatically due to its increasing competitiveness versus traditional energy sources. This has been achieved by the significant reduction in cost of the modules, mainly supplied by Chinese companies. Therefore imposing a levy on Chinese manufactured modules will set the UK industry back several years.”
Richard Jenkins, managing director, Ecolution Energy Services
“The Chinese and European PV markets have been inter-connected since their beginnings. A complementary co-dependency exists between them, and we are certain that the proposed anti-dumping measures put this in danger. There is no winner in a trade war.”
Mariana Hall, vice president, Phono Solar Europe
“Manufacturing in the EU represents a very small amount of the jobs and value in the total supply chain, so this action to protect those few jobs would almost certainly jeopardize many more elsewhere. It’s the last thing we need after 18 months of ‘solarcoaster’ in the UK.”
Howard Johns, managing director, Southern Solar
“Active protectionism of this nature can have many repercussions. I am not in favour of targeting a single country like this simply for selling goods cheaply. There’s nothing to stop the Chinese doing the same to our exports. Instead, we need better quality standards behind our subsidy schemes.”
Chris Laughton, managing director, The Solar Design Company