Australia Ends Investigation Into Alleged Dumping Of Chinese Solar PV Modules, Despite Comission Finding Evidence
Despite evidence uncovered by Australia’s anti-dumping commission suggesting that some Chinese solar photovoltaic (PV) modules were being sold in the country at dumped prices, the commission has decided to terminate its investigation, according to recent reports.
Reportedly, the commission determined that the ‘injury’ caused by the Chinese actions was minimal, and therefore no recourse was necessary. Given the close relationship between higher-ups in Australia and China, though, I can’t help but wonder about the underlying reasons for the terminated investigation. Or, for that matter, the backroom conversations and talks that accompanied — which would probably be fascinating to hear.
As Australia and China seem likely to develop ever closer relations over the coming years, I’m certainly not surprised by the terminated investigation — but… the official reason sounds rather lame, doesn’t it? They could have come up with something better than “No harm done, don’t worry about it”, couldn’t they have?
Some background here — the investigation began as a result of the Australian company Tindo Solar filing a complaint last year. One which noted that the pricing used by the Chinese was harming the country’s solar PV manufacturers.
The investigation that resulted led to the determination that Trina Solar, Wuxi Suntech, ReneSola, and ET Solar were all engaged in dumping practices — at respective margins of 4%, 8.7%, 2.1%, and 3%.
The reasons for the termination — the ones given by the commission at any rate — are that the dumping margins were fairly limited, and that Tindo Solar (the instigator of the investigation) offers AC modules, rather than DC modules (like most of those being imported from China). These facts rendered the issue “negligible” according to those in the commission. As a result, no anti-dumping duties are now on the way.
Tindo Solar is currently assessing its options, and plans to pursue the issue further.
Image: Australia solar roofs via Shutterstock
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