Asia Report: China Responds to Solar Trade Complaint

Renewable Energy World Editors
October 24, 2011 | 32 Comments

Chinese solar manufacturers came under fire last week with news breaking that SolarWorld and six unnamed American manufacturers were filing a trade complaint, alleging unfair trading practices and pushing for a tariff of 100 percent to be placed on all crystalline silicon cells and modules imported from China. The news broke while the solar industry convened at Solar Power International 2011 in Dallas, and the filing set the stage for a fast-moving process that could result in tariffs on Chinese imports into the U.S. within six months. The news has drawn a sharp response from the Chinese government, which accused the American solar industry of protectionism.

TRADE DISPUTE FALLOUT

The Process: If a determination is made in favor of the American companies, the complaint could have vast implications for Chinese manufacturers.

Reaction in America: SolarWorld says it is protecting American manufacturing, but several industry executives say putting restrictions on free trade is shortsighted.

China's Reaction: Chinese officials have suggested that imposing tariffs could also have dire consequences for the American companies that do business with Chinese panelmakers.

Stocks Plunge: Some of the biggest Chinese companies saw their stocks tumble significantly the day following the announcement.

IN THE NEWS

Cutting Ties: Germany wind energy company Repower says it is pulling out of the China market because, he says, capacity is starting to outstrip demand.

Potential for Growth: A new report, however, details China’s ambitious wind energy agenda, saying the nation could install 1,000 gigawatts of wind power by 2050.

Biofuels Race Not Much of a Race: China is speeding up its path toward a biofuels market while much of the rest of the Western world lags behind.

In India, The Bids for Solar Are In: More than 150 companies have placed bids as India moves closer toward building large-scale solar developments.

Out of the Solar Game: Panasonic scraps plans to convert a plasma television factory into a solar manufacturing facility, citing inability to compete with Chinese manufacturers.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

And the Winner Is …: Japan wins the solar car race, traversing 3,000 kilometers of remote highways through Australia’s Outback.

Combining Solar and Wind: Tobisha this week announced that it will participate in a consortium that will carry out a feasibility study for a combined solar and wind power plant in Tahara, Aichi prefecture, towards starting construction in 2012.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Solar Rate of Return
"During 2011-2012, we expect a short-term lull in the European Union PV market, primarily due to [feed-in-tariff] rate cuts and regulations on farm land usage for ground-mount installations. But this will be offset by installations in the high-growth markets of North America and Asia, and China in particular."
Arun Kumar, SBI Energy analyst in new report

HAVE YOUR SAY
If you are an industry expert and would like to be a contributor for RenewableEnergyWorld.com, please contact us at editor@renewableenergyworld.com so we can show you how to get started.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Oct. 10-17, 2011 Asia Report: Intensity Increases Over China Pricing
Oct. 3-10, 2011 Asia Report: In Japan, the Search for Energy Solutions
September 26-Oct 3, 2011 Asia Report: Race for Innovation, Dominance and Capital
September 19-26, 2011 Asia Report: Subtle Signs of Energy Shift
September 12-19, 2011 Asia Report: Wind Espionage and Solar Riot
September 5-12, 2011 Asia Report: Will Region Maintain Its Edge?

32 Comments

pierre vincent
November 2, 2011

Sure she can. But not us.

Thomas Palmer
November 2, 2011

johnson,
And so now, we have Republicans who are bought off by the oil industry attempting to kill the solar industry in the United States by adding tarriffs to foreign manufacturers, thereby keeping prices too high for the average American to afford.

So..what do we do about it? March on Washington? Picket Congress? Buy black market?

Seems to me that US Solar manufacturers have it in their hands to expand sales by mass producing at a grander scale and lowering prices to match up supply and demand. I believe that by the end of the century, the oil industry will be obsolete. However, with the cooperation of our own manufacturers, this will happen sooner than 2099. Not sure Mother Earth can handle another 80 years of carbon emissions at this maginitude.

A Johnson
November 2, 2011

The Grumman Aircraft Corporation of Bethpage, Long Island, N.Y. had a DIVISION manufacturing SOLAR PANELS on Long Island for several years in the 1970s. That had to be closed due to poor sales caused by local and City of N.Y. Building department regulations that were archaic and posed obstacles on contractors and building owners who then no longer were interested in these installations.

A Johnson
November 2, 2011

Catalytic Converter intended to eliminate Hydrocarbons (fuel) not burned in the internal combustion engine (the exhaust thereof), the Catalytic Converter when installed lowered developed engine horsepower caused by back-pressure of the Converter. Engine Horsepower then had to be increased to offset this problem. This was accomplished before the Converter was devised with the addition of an AFTERBURNER created and mounted in the exhaust pipe, that burned fuel gases not detonated in the engine combustion chamber at a cost of less than $20.

Thomas Palmer
November 1, 2011

I agree with you. Big oil is pretty much the antichrist. Not sure what a catalytic converter does exactly, and how that affects gas mileage.

I'm liking the electric car charged up with solar cells in the roof, and storing excess juice that you can plug into the grid and sell back to the electric company at the end of the day.

In this day and age, there's no reason we should be paying for gasoline or electric utilities. That stuff is so 20th century.

A Johnson
November 1, 2011

American Auto makers had the technology and did in fact run cars on the INDY track getting 37 miles per gallon. The only response to that is that there was COLLUSION between them and the OIL INDUSTRY/ REFINERS.
This was 1971

Catalytic Converters ? What about attaching an AFTERBURNER to that exhaust pipe? Used on cars in 1950s. I don't see Catalytic Converters on Aircraft Engines, do you ?

Thomas Palmer
October 27, 2011

Believe me... I'd love to start up a manufacturing facility, but that's not my area of expertise. I am a Southern California General Manager for a national portrait company. Have also been in business for 35 years. I do know that what I've suggested above is possible. The ego of the industry is the main hold up. Look at the figures.

You're on my case for laying blame on US manufacturers. Right back at you in your sentiment toward the Chinese. Maybe you should actually get in there and read their play book. The score is pretty lobsided. Hope you have a better second half, but taxing them WILL NOT improve your bottom line. It would only hurt consumers who have no alternative but to reject the notion of going solar.

Give us 3000watts with all components and labor to install for $6000 (which sounds about right to me) or even $7000, and I'll build your business 50 fold within two years. Otherwise, it makes more sense for folks to pay Edison.

That's my area of expertise.

R E NOVAK-ARZE
October 27, 2011

@thompalmer1~
Are you a business owner? I still see only anger and blame in your statements. Not everything is the fault of mass consumer stupidity and corporate greed. How are US manufacturers to complete against a company that pays the equivalent of dollars per day rather then per hour, that pays no health insurance, no retirement benefits, pays no taxes (as major Chinese businesses are owned by the government they have the profits and do not need taxes), do not pay patent fees, and have no enforced environmental controls? I too am from Michigan. I buy local, buy Michigan and buy USA whenever possible. I do know that the costs of running a small business (under 50 employees) in Michigan are fairly high. When you get above 50 employees, the costs~due to the additional regulations that you have to follow~make it extremely difficult to expand. The only corporations that really benefit as you suggest are the mega-corps...and they already use chinese manufacturers to lower their costs. I challenge you ~ if you think that it is possible to complete then 'produce these (panels) at a 10% profit for the next 10 years, convince the inverter and wind turbine companies to get real with their pricing, and get the installers in check' ~ then start a business and do it!

Thomas Palmer
October 26, 2011

This is why we can't compete. They cut costs by mass producing the stuff. Henry Ford gave us the blueprint over 100 years ago. Don't punish the Chinese for simply being better at it. I'll be away most of Thursday, so maybe SIMPLEENERGY can take over for me. I have a feeling he has a lot more to say.

2011 Global Top Ten Solar Cell Manufacturer
Company Capacity (MW) Country
Suntech 2,400 China
JA Solar 2,100 China
Trina 1,900 China
Yingli 1,700 China
Motech 1,500 Taiwan
Gintech 1,500 Taiwan
Canadian Solar 1,300 China
Neo Solar Power 1,300 Taiwan
Hanwha Solar One 1,100 China
JinkoSolar 1,100 China
================================================
2011 Global Top Ten Solar Module
Company Capacity (MW) Country
Suntech 2,400 China
LDK 2,500 China
Canadian Solar 2,000 China
Trina 1,900 China
Yingli 1,700 China
Hanwha Solarone 1,500 China
SolarWorld 1,400 Germany
Jinko 1,100 China
Sunneeg 1,000 China
Sunpower 1,000 USA

Thomas Palmer
October 26, 2011

anonymous,

...And furthermore, just to push your button a little more... If you guys had an ounce of patriotism in you, you'd produce these at a 10% profit for the next 10 years, convince the inverter and wind turbine companies to get real with their pricing, and get the installers in check.

You would (as an industry) put tens of thousands of people to work permanently, producing and installing millions of home with clean, affordable, self reliant energy.

You will still become millionaires due to volume, but at the same time, you will be helping to curb the CO2 volume in our atmosphere and make a huge impact in fixing the economy.

Everyone wins but the oil companies and the War Machine, since we fight way too many wars and lose way too many kids in the name of oil. Maybe we'll be able to shift the money from weapons to space exploration or something a bit more productive.

The way I see it, this is your shot to change the world. Take the shot.

God Bless America

Thomas Palmer
October 26, 2011

Seems I've hit on a nerve Anonymous!!!

I can't see where the Chinese prices are FALSE. I can pretty much clearly see that American manufacturers prices are the FALSE prices. Falsely ramped up for short-term profits after figuring in the consumers tax breaks and rebates, and attempting to claim them for yourselves. That's not the way government subsidies are supposed to work. Taking the money directly from the consumer, and convincing them that it's a good deal. "Hey... you'll have it pay for itself in 12 short years".... HOGWASH.

I already knew Canadian Solar panels were made in China. Does it really matter? Even they jack up their prices to the US market, because WE set the bar.

Who is the largest manufacturer of solar cells in the world?
What is the wholesale price per cell to panel makers?

If the answer to the second question is over 20 cents per cell, then somebody needs to get busy, mass produce these things more efficiently, and knock the competition on their asses.

Turning sand to glass really isn't that expensive. $4000 to install 12 brackets and plug in a few panels is WAY WAY out of line, even for a licensed and insured company. BAD FORM ALTOGETHER.

You can't get your industry off the ground, and then blame it on those who are pricing their products fairly and affordably, and punish them AND your potential customers, most of whom will not make the move to solar because of your short-sightedness.

My point on the DIY solar panels is that MY cost to make a panel with the same materials as our manufacturers use would cost about $1 per watt. Unless you guys (US manufacturers)are complete idiots, you shouldn't be paying more than half that per watt at the outside, even if the cells are made in the USA.

A US manufacturer will do it right eventually. Mass produce the hell out of cells and panels and sell them at a 15% profit rather than a 100% profit. That company will rule the world.

ANONYMOUS
October 26, 2011

" found Canadian Solar 230w panels for $265 each. GO CANADA."

omg...this is why I get upset with many of the comments in here with assumptions of "something I read once".

Canadian Solar is a Chinese manufacturer, that named themselves Canadian Solar to dupe you! Apparantly it worked!

Did you know there was a Chinese town that proposed to change thier name to Usa so they could claim products where made in USA?
Ok, that is a total lie, but the sentiment is accurate.
The problem with a dump of price is far greater and you have to look further in the future than next month or next year. By putting FALSE module costs on the market, it accellerated the reactions of the less informed and less knowledgable to think "oh, they've fixed it". But they didn't they lied, and by the time you've figured it out...PPA boom, Installers flood to the market demand, planned incentive structures torn to the ground because "panel prices are so low we don't need subsidies for purchasing anymore"...then once they have run every other manufacturer out of business, they jack up the prices higher than it was before the dump. It is a standard business practice, particularly from Asian companies. It is in the art of war.
"Seems that even if the economy stays slow there will be profits. Now, if I can make a solar panel for $1 per watt myself, I can only imagine what the cost is mass produced. Probably in the neighborhood of 40cents or less."
Fact, if the price is lower than the cost to produce there is no profit
If you make a Solar Panel for $1/W you should go into business and beat the chinese...but in reality, you have no idea what you are talking about...you see the ad for "DIY Solar Panels" and think that's how it is done! do you really think the DIY Panel is going to last for 25 years of warranty and many years beyond? BS, there is more to making an environmentally sealed electrical device and placed in some of the harshest environments.
FE

Thomas Palmer
October 26, 2011

Simpleenergy... Love the comment on Olympic handicap... funny but true unfortunately. Same thing.

If we can avoid the tarriffs to the Chinese, we'll eventually be putting thousands of installers and electricians to work. Maybe you have a point. Don't even try to compete if you can't compete. All good point.

I found Canadian Solar 230w panels for $265 each. GO CANADA. I get to pay an AMERICAN roofer $1200 and an electrician between $150 and $300, and I get to cut my electric bill by a couple hundred per month. Sounds fair to me, but not possible at $700 per panel.

Canada, China, and Germany are the Solar Industry's best friends. The focus should be on making it possible to put panels on homes at this point, and ALL new homes should be self sustaining, once we get the housing market under control.

THINK BIG and lets tell the pussies at SolarWorld to shut the hell up. :-)

Thomas Palmer
October 26, 2011

Mr. Novak, It's not that I don't want everyone to make $100 per hour, but you see our problem, right? That's too damn much to put panels up on a roof and hook up a few wires.

I have a roofer at $60 per hour on the install of say 12 panels. One day job for one guy = $1200 A licenced electrician will do the hookups for $75 per hour, or about $150. Why does the solar industry in the United States treat us all like we're suckers? Again, build your industry fairly and stop ripping off the public. That's how you'll compete with China and still make billions like they are. A 400w wind turbine costs the manufacturer the same as a 600w turbine. A 1000w turbine is maybe a few bucks more, but not much. Why the discrepancy in the pricing structure?

One thing you need to always keep in mind is that most of the Americans that are interested in your product are actually EDUCATED, and we know when we're being duped. And, believe me, I HATE having to purchase things from non-American companies. I'm from the Detroit area, and it pains me to see so many Toyota's on the road while unemployment in Detroit is 20%.

You don't have to cave on pricing. You can just keep fighting with your competitors over a dinky market, and eventually fade away in a slow and painful death at the great joy of the oil industry. We'll just have to find black market ways of obtaining our panels at a reasonable price if we impose tarriffs. Now, does that make more sense to you?

Peace :-) Buy American if possible folks, but don't let yourself be ripped off. And don't let our solar companies steal your tax breaks through overcharging.

pierre vincent
October 26, 2011

Novak: "Worker parity is a great concept, but how would one entice China to join in?" The only way is by refusing to buy chinese. We never will because we are cheapskates. We are contributing to our nation's own race to the bottom.
I remember seeing a news article a few years back after our textile industry moved to northern mexico, after signing the free trade agreement with them. The mexicans were happy because they got all these jobs (sweat shop jobs, but jobs nonetheless). Not long after, all those sweat shop jobs moved to China. They interviewed a few mexicans about that loss and they essentially said so what? as long as we are paying less for our t shirts, we dont care that mexico is losing these jobs.

"Ending oil subsidies would affect more than just the energy producing industry." We should be paying the environmental costs at the pump. But instead, we are paying for it via our tax dollars and our children's tax dollars. That has to end.

R E NOVAK-ARZE
October 26, 2011

@thompalmer1~
2 guys/2 days/$4000 = +/-$100/hr based on a 10 hour day
If this is a licensed, bonded company, this is not such an unreasonable charge if you consider the costs of liability insurance, bonding insurance, corporate business taxes, unemployment insurance, vehicle and equipment costs, etc.
@Pierrot~
Worker parity is a great concept, but how would one entice China to join in? There is no incentive for them, except for maybe international tariffs and/or embargos.
Ending oil subsidies would affect more than just the energy producing industry. The affects on transportation, heating, industrial processing, agriculture would be profound.
I believe that investment is needed in the industry, But without protection from unfair trade practices, no savvy investor will put his money into it.

randy velker
October 26, 2011

No, US panel makers can compete. I have seen american made modules advertised for $1.00 per watt. Sure they wouldn't be doing that if the Chinese modules had not already forced the issue by dropping the prices for the past year.

Of course we can compete...we just don't want too. We would rather sit back and make our competitors work that much harder (and pay a tariff) so we don't have to work as hard.

You think it is a prison system in China. Don't believe it. Jinko had some environmental issues, so their workers balked until the issues were fixed. Many manufacturers have no environmental issues. Executing complainers- come on. China is an economic powerhouse and they have tremendous resources (natural and human), why would we want to start a "war" with them? It only impoverishes us.

Walmart and China are keeping the american consumer's head above water. Don't take your "high standards" and expect everyone to agree (especially if it costs 30-100% more).

Why should we even make PV modules in the US? We shouldn't be UNLESS we can compete.

Maybe rather than competing in the next Olympics we can increase the distance the Chinese have to run (by 30-100%). Boy will we get some medals then!

pierre vincent
October 26, 2011

thomplamer1 has an excellent point.
I can purchase panels online at 1$ to 1.50$ a watt. But if I want panels on my roof, I phone a local installer and poof the price jumps to 6-8 $ / Watt.
So 1/8 is the cost of the panel, of which 30 or 50 cents might be saved if they were made in China. The other 7/8 is shipping, install, inverter, and getting a master electrician to hook it up.

I dont see how we should be blaming the chinese for not getting the price down. They might cause the price of panels to come down, but that's negligeable next to the total installed cost.

pierre vincent
October 26, 2011

simpleenergy: Why race the chinese to the bottom???

The solution I believe is 2 prong:
1 - Ensure all workers everywhere are treated with dignity and respect.
2 - End all subsidies to the fossil industry; ESPECIALLY stop subsidizing the externalities i.e. - the cost of cleaning up the mess being left by fossil industry including everything from the costs of smog-related health issues, to the trillion dollar war in irak, to moving the city of new york when the sea level rises.

Then solar will be the cheaper source of energy, and its workers will have healthy happy sustainable lifestyles.

pierre vincent
October 26, 2011

simpleenergy: ' SolarWorld and it's un-named co-conspiritors should drop this complaint and get to work driving down their prices so that they are competitive. '

The only way to do this is to pay american workers 1$/day, make them work 12 hour days, 7 days a week, in a toxic unsafe chemical environment, start hiring them at the age of 12 and execute them if they complain.

To us those chinese panels are cheap, but that's only because someone else is paying for the difference in price.

R E NOVAK-ARZE
October 26, 2011

Fix it how?

R E NOVAK-ARZE
October 26, 2011

So, if you can do it so cheaply, why are you not producing more widely?

Thomas Palmer
October 26, 2011

"banking profits in case the economy stays slow" ??? There's your proof. Seems that even if the economy stays slow there will be profits. Now, if I can make a solar panel for $1 per watt myself, I can only imagine what the cost is mass produced. Probably in the neighborhood of 40cents or less. If not, someone needs to fix that. Markups are too high, and installation costs are way off the mark.

Henry Ford had a pretty good idea back in the early 1900's when he decided to mass produce cars and introduce the assembly line. That was quite an investment, and he didn't "save in case the economy stayed slow". He lowered the price of automobiles and BOOM. Millions were sold over the next few years.

If IBM and other PC manufactuers decided to charge by the megabyte in 1980, I think I wouldn't have been able to afford a computer by 1988.

You're trying to build an incredibly positive, potentially earth-saving industry. Make the investment with us, and you'll have millions of people banging at your door.

I can put together a 3kw array with all the components for under $7000 by shopping smart. Why would I want to pay $20,000 for the same thing? Show us a 3kw system installed for $9999 before rebates and tax breaks. If you can't do it, figure out how to do it. Installation costs are way too high. 2 days work with two guys to install this type of array is like $3000-$4000, because they're charging by the watt. WTF??? I'll hire a roofer for $60/hr.

MILLIONS WANT SOLAR. HUNDREDS CAN AFFORD IT. FIX IT.

R E NOVAK-ARZE
October 26, 2011

How do you suggest we address this issue? Direct subsidy to the consumer in the form of a tax break? As it appears that most subsidies to the manufacturers in this country are in the form of government guaranteed loans, would you recommend all such loan activity cease? Why do you believe that the manufacturers are gouging us? Do you have a source that I can reference that shows ungodly profits? Most small manufacturers that I have researched are banking profits right now to have a cushion in case the economy stays slow, and to deal with the costs of the new health care program(s). I have not researched the really big corporations. While I agree that subsidies to big oil are probably too high, most of the US industry runs on oil, and cutting subsidies would increase costs of production here. So again, how would you propose to get American manufacturers & distributers to "stop stealing our breaks"?

Thomas Palmer
October 26, 2011

I believe the difference is that our government subsidies are not being passed on the the consumer. Would you rather supply less than 1% of the homes with solar at a ridiculous price, or would you rather supply 70% or more of the homes at a fair price? As stated, when American manufacturers and distributors stop stealing our breaks, then it's GAME ON.

R E NOVAK-ARZE
October 26, 2011

Again, I see anger & blame. What would you suggest as a viable solution to the issue?
I could not find a concise article addressing the Chinese banking/subsidy issue. The basis of most complaints is that Chinese currency value is set by the government and is not allowed to rise and fall per the free market. Also, most large companies in China are government owned. Thus the value of Chinese products are set by the Chinese government for their own profit.
As for Solyndra, this seemed a fairly unbaised report: http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/solyndra-scandal-solyndra-bankruptcy-solyndra-ipo/9/15/2011/id/36909?page=full

Thomas Palmer
October 26, 2011

I've been thinking a lot about this. American manufacturers and distributors are basically trying to rape the public on price. They are using the rebates and tax incentives as a way to jack the prices up to where it still makes little sense for us to invest in solar. Hence, WE are hanging ourselves. The whole "GREED IS GOOD" ship has sailed, and American Mfr's need to get a clue. There are millions of homeowners ready and willing to switch to solar and wind power, but you're stealing our rebates and tax incentives. DON'T BLAME THE CHINESE for pricing their products fairly. GET A CLUE AND QUIT WITH THE GREED. Panels should be half of what they cost today, and large inverters are an even greater ripoff. Until our manufacturers give us back our rebates and tax incentives, I have no alternative but to buy from China.

Adding tariffs to chinese solar products will simply kill this incredible revolution, playing right into the hands of BIG OIL. Watch the money flow into the anti-chinese movement from Big Oil, who have the most to gain by keeping it unaffordable to most Americans.

There is no logical reason our homes shouldn't be self sustaining in this day and age. 100 years ago we didn't have a choice. 100 years ago, the government put up the poles and wires, making electricity possible in homes. Now, we're able to do it ourselves, but greedy executives won't allow it. GET A CLUE.

Ken Wright
October 26, 2011

I'd like to know what the specific complaints with the Chinese are. All we know here is that there is an action. Its not like our government didn't unfairly subsidize Solyndra at the expense of its own competitors in the US and abroad.

R E NOVAK-ARZE
October 26, 2011

All speakers have a valid point. China does artificially keep its prices low, to the detriment of other manufacturers outside of China. The chinese workers and the environment suffer as a result of the "way things are done" in China. US (and other) consumers are generally driven by the bottom line cost. In this economy, it is difficult not to be.
So~what are the solutions? What would provide "Fair Competition"? Are we to provide "cheap and green energy" to the US at the cost of US jobs and the chinese environment? Should China be allowed to hold all others hostage under its monetary policy? What would you suggest as a solution to this issue? I would like to hear your thoughts, and reasoning.

ANONYMOUS
October 26, 2011

This is about cheap and green energy for the U.S. for decades to come and we now turning it down!
The U.S. has proven time and again that it will cut off its nose to spite its face! This action will do NOTHING other than to kill off thousands of MWs of solar projects that otherwise would have been built here in the U.S. by U.S. workers. EPCs must be having a fit over this idiocy.
Congress is pathetic.

Douglas Prince
October 25, 2011

Simple -
This isn't just about solar panels. Everything coming out of China is seriously under-valued due to the Chinese government purposely devalueing their currency to keep their products artificially low on the world market.
The US market, being consumer driven, couldn't be happier to buy whatever crap falls out of China's asshole as long as it's cheap. The fact is, their panels should not be as cheap as they are sold. Look at Canada and Germany, as two examples, who have been making quality panels for years (decades?) and are assessed at fair market value.
If only the consumer side of our nation would stop turning a blind eye to China's financial policies, we could get a fair trade going with all Chinese products.
Best thing we could do to instill this practice, instead of imposing tariffs, is simply stop buying Chinese goods. But then, what would Wal-Mart do for business?

randy velker
October 25, 2011

The Chinese are exactly right, this complaint and any "tariff" will have terrible consequences on many US companies.

Not only will it affect hundreds of companies in the solar value chain, it will also affect MILLIONS of consumers who are now benefiting from the low prices that Chinese manufacturing and competition have produced.

SolarWorld and it's un-named co-conspiritors should drop this complaint and get to work driving down their prices so that they are competitive.

Should the consumers file a complaint against SolarWorld?- For even wanting to put a 100% tariff on the low priced modules now available. Oh wait, that's now how politics works. You need lobbyists and paid off politicians to try to get a monopoly.

Shame on SolarWorld and these other companies. You have shown your true colors... and driving down the price of solar so that it is below grid parity IS NOT ONE OF THEM!

And trying to wrap an American flag around yourself in order to justify penalizing the Chinese and the American Consumer.

This stinks as bad as the American auto industry wanting protecting from the "Japanese" 30 years ago. Rather than actually getting competitive we tried to spend all our time keeping "them" from being competitive (with tariffs, etc.). It resulted in the current state of Detroit/Flint, etc.

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