By Roy L Hales
The Anti-Chinese Dumping Duties stand. The US International Trade Commission upheld the US Department of Commerce’s Decision, from December 16, by 5-0 vote for China, and 4-1 with regard to Taiwan. Anti-dumping duty rates of 52.13% and anti-subsidy rates of 38.72% will be imposed on most solar panels imported from China. Anti-dumping rates of 19.50% will be imposed on most solar cells from Taiwan, regardless of where the panels are assembled into panels.
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By Roy L Hales
PetersenDean claims 7 of the 11 Board members displayed on Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) homepage are from “Chinese-based manufacturing and affiliated companies” and SEIA represents Chinese rather than American interests. They are calling upon the Board to resign and are “asking for an ethics investigation under the SEIA by-laws, including Article 10.” To which SEIA responded that PetersenDean is not one of their members and their allegations are “a PR puffball.” What’s Behind PetersenDean’s Allegations?
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A Chinese publications depicts former Vice-Minister of Commerce Long Yongtu saying Chinese solar firms descended on the overseas market like a “swarm of wasps.” Testimonies from the U.S. International Trade Commission describe how a deluge of cheap Chinese solar modules wreaked havoc on US Industry. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden describes it as a five-year-long siege of the American solar industry.
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Originally Published in Clean Technica
By Roy L Hales
Every year, the Silicon Vally Toxic Coaltion (SVTC) sends out a survey to PV solar manufacturers. Though companies do not have to respond, this does not stop the SVTC from evaluating them. It simply means there is less information and, consequently, they receive lower marks. The “Industry Leaders” on SVTC’s 5th annual 2014 scorecard are: Trina Solar (92), SunPower (88), Yingli Green Energy (81), SolarWorld (73) and REC (71).
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By Roy L Hales
Last year Robert Lundahl and I co-wrote an article about a California PV solar factory that is not disposing of their solar panels once their lifespan expires. We could not name the company, as our source still works there, but they use a known carcinogenic called gallium arsenide. This is not believed to be a problem as long as the panels are intact. However if they end up in a landfill the panels will be broken and the toxins can leech into the soil. Environment California recently directed me to a study that puts the toxic Issue of solar panels in context and suggests areas where the industry can improve.
Amy Galland’s “Clean and Green” was inspired by companies that are not complying with environmental health and safety codes, but she found some PV manufacturers actually do more than what is required.
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