Solar panels
IN PHOTO: Solar panels are seen at PetroChina's solar-powered Yizhuang gas station in Beijing, January 9, 2015. Reuters photographers from Mali to Mexico have shot a series of pictures of fuel stations. Whether it is plastic bottles by the roadside in Malaysia or a futuristic forecourt in Los Angeles, fuel stations help define our world. Oil prices steadied above $48 a barrel on Tuesday, recovering from earlier losses as the dollar weakened against the euro. Oil prices have dropped nearly 60 percent since peaking in June 2014 on ample global supplies from the U.S. shale oil boom and a decision by OPEC to keep its production quotas unchanged. Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Some Chinese Photo Voltaic modules producers have come at the receiving end of Canadian International Trade Tribunal, which slapped them preliminary anti-dumping and anti-subsidization tariffs. The products targeted are semi-finished as well as thin-film PV modules from 10 China-based companies. The penal tariffs range from 9 to 286 percent.

This follows a complaint by four Canada-based PV makers. Based on the petition, the Canada Border Services Agency initiated anti-dumping and anti-subsidisation investigations on China-made PV products in 2014. Now CITT will take a final decision on the investigation on June 3, which will be sent to Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary for further action.

Effect on Local Players

The CIIT action is bound to have an impact on local Canadian producers. Canadian solar systems provider Carmanah Technologies Corporation, which is currently importing PV modules, said the effect of the CIIT decision will be limited. However, companies with solar EPC-focused Power Division purchases that supply to the Ontario Feed-in Tariff Program source cost-efficinet PV modules from China and elsewhere.

Canadian module manufacturers and Chinese suppliers are competitors in the market, where heavy competition has curbed significant increases in module cost. Chinese makers are increasingly relied by importers for flexible solar panels.

Costly in U.S.

A study revealed that top quality Chinese solar modules cost more on a per watt metric in the U.S than any other major Solar market worldwide. A report from GTM Research Global PV Market Research 2015 noted that regional disparities in module prices have grown in 2014 as a consequence of competition, falling currency and trade disputes. Prices for top-brand Chinese modules in the U.S. averaged U.S. $0.72/W in the fourth quarter of 2014, which is up from U.S. $0.70 per watt clocked in 2013.

Australia Probe

Meanwhile, Australia’s Anti-Dumping Commission has delayed its probe report until April 7, about imports of China-made solar panels into Australia. The investigation was launched in May 2014 on the allegation of dumping of crystalline silicon photovoltaic PV modules and panels made in China. The probe is looking into PV equipment sold in the Australian market between July 1, 2012 and Dec 31, 2013.

The Commission said it wanted more time to release the report due to the “complexities associated with the investigation.” This is the third time the Commission is putting off its decision, with its report actually expected in Sept 1, 2014.

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