EU anti-dumping case against China solar sector expected soon

SolarWorld AG, Germany’s biggest solar-panel maker, expects an anti-dumping case to start against Chinese competitors in Europe this month after the German government said it may support such a move.

While Solarworld hasn’t filed a complaint with the European Commission, individual European Union member states or the commission itself could initiate proceedings, Solarworld Chief Executive Officer Frank Asbeck told Bloomberg yesterday.

Solarworld said in last month it wanted to bring an anti-dumping complaint in Europe after the US imposed preliminary tariffs of 31 percent to 250 percent on Chinese solar manufacturers, following industry complaints led by Solarworld’s US unit.

German magazine WirtschaftsWoche reported over the weekend that the country may initiate anti-dumping proceedings, citing an interview with Environment Minister Peter Altmaier.

At least five solar companies in Germany, including Q-Cells SE, have filed for insolvency since December after a glut of Chinese products flooded the global market.