China to probe solar panel imports
24th Jul 2012
China has made no secret of the fact it is suspicious of the price of importing solar panels from the US and South Korea - and now its trade ministry is launching an investigation.
The component of the panels in question is polysilicon, which is also manufactured in various locations across China, meaning that some businesses may see their operations jeopardised.
This is far from the only trade spat between China and the US in recent months.
Not so long ago, solar panel manufacturers in the US suggested that its Chinese rivals were receiving illegal subsidies from the government that allowed them to offer cheaper products.
This led the US to impose a 31 per cent import duty on Chinese solar panels to help stop the market from being flooded with cheaper alternatives.
Here in Australia, we still rely heavily on China to supply us with solar products, so this investigation has the potential to impact our market as much as the one in the US.
We will have to wait and see what effect the situation actually has - so watch this space!
Posted by Mike Peacock
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Solar Power