China's solar fight spreads to the EU
30th Jul 2012
China has picked trade wars with a number of regions over the past few months and now it seems that the European Union is next in line.
Solar panel manufacturers in the country are calling for China to take a stand against anti-dumping restrictions amid fears that cheap products are flooding the market.
The row erupted after allegations were made that Chinese solar panel companies receives illegal subsidies and are able to take hold of the European market.
From a consumer perspective, this might not seem like a bad thing, right? Cheaper panels mean more widespread uptake and of course, more money in our pockets.
However, if China is allowed to monopolise the solar panel market then local manufacturers are likely to fall by the wayside - a problem that the EU is understandably trying to avoid.
The fact is that cheapest doesn't always mean best, so the EU is hoping the promote quality products that are locally made to make sure the market can stand the test of time.
It was recently announced that China was carrying out an investigation into the cost of solar panel imports from the US and South Korea - more specifically the polysilicon component.
Posted by Mike Peacock
|
Solar Power