Suntech Power Holdings Company Ltd. (Wuxi, China) and Trina Solar Ltd. (Changzhou, China) have released statements in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) final ruling on tariff levels for Chinese PV exports.

Suntech described the process as "unfortunate", criticizing aspects of the investigation, and noted that it will be able to supply its customers with PV products that are not subject to tariffs.

"Unilateral trade barriers will not make any one company more competitive, but will make solar less competitive against other forms of electricity generation," stated Suntech America Managing Director E.L. McDaniel.

"As a multinational company with global supply chains and manufacturing facilities in three countries, including Goodyear, Arizona, we will continue to provide our customers in the U.S. with hundreds of megawatts of high-quality and affordable solar products that will not be subject to tariffs."

Trina may consider an appeal

Trina Solar states that it will continue to actively defend its position, and may consider an appeal following the final determination by the International Trade Commission (ITC) on November 7th, 2012.

"While we disagree with the Department of Commerce's conclusions in this case, we will abide by their decision and look forward to the ITC's final ruling on this issue in November," said Trina Solar Chairman and CEO Jifan Gao.

"We are a strong, resilient company and we will continue to innovate, drive technological advances and bring clean energy to the U.S. and around the world."

Specific rates for Suntech, Trina

Trina and Suntech were both given specific tariff rates under the investigation. If the ITC affirms the DOC's findings, Trina will receive a combined tariff rate of 24%, and Suntech a combined tariff rate of 36% on  PV cells produced in China for the U.S. market, and modules made from those cells.

59 other named companies including JA Solar, Yingli, Canadian Solar, LDK Solar and Hanwha Solarone will potentially receive 31% tariffs, and all other producers will receive a combined tariff of 255%.

2012-10-11 | Courtesy: Suntech, Trina; Image: Trina Solar | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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