EU duties on Chinese solar panels unnerve local investors

The decision of the European Comission to impose temporary duties of 11.8 percent on Chinese imports of solar panels and equipments has put the local sector in a difficult spot, with some investors announcing intensions to drop their local photo-voltaic projects, says Flavius Iliescu, director of Petawatt Energia, an importer, distributor and EPC for solar panels, with a turnover of EUR 1 million.

How is the enforcement of provisional anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese solar panels going to impact the local solar sector?
We know many operators from the Romanian photovoltaic industry who have said they will be forced to close their businesses because of the anti-dumping taxes. Investments are now blocked due to the anti-dumping duties and the reduction of green certificates. Recently, the PV industry was dealt another blow, when the Romanian government prohibited the placement of solar installations on agricultural land.

Now that duties of 11.8 percent have been imposed for two months, the situation has become more difficult for the PV industry. In August, if a negotiated solution is not found, taxes will rise to 47.6 percent, which will mean the collapse of many projects and businesses.

To what extent are the duties going to impact the business of Petawatt Energia?
The duties have put Petawatt Energia and many other operators in the industry in a difficult position, because they are not able to provide customers with price quotes for future projects or to ensure access to the required amount of solar panels. Most of our partners have announced their intention to withdraw from their projects, even though many of them had already acquired the land, conducted feasibility studies, completed the drafts and also sought bank loans.

Are the duties going to help European solar panel producers?
Duties will not solve the main problems facing European producers. They suffer because of the small production facilities and unfavorable polysilicon supply contracts that drive up costs.