Anti-dumping inquiry into Chinese solar

The Australian Government has initiated an anti-dumping investigation on certain Chinese crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules or panels, following an application lodged by Tindo Manufacturing.

The application alleges that the goods have been exported to Australia at prices less than their normal value and that dumping has caused material injury to the Australian industry through: lost sales revenue; price depression; price suppression; loss of profit; and reduced profitability.

The following is a description of the goods covered by the investigation: Certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules or panels, whether exported assembled or unassembled, and whether or not they have an inverter, capable of producing any power in terms of watt.

The product types excluded from the application include: cells and wafers of the type used in PV modules or panels; solar chargers that consist of less than six cells, are portable and supply electricity to devices or charge batteries; and PV products that are permanently integrated into electrical goods, where the function of the electrical goods is other than power generation, and where these electrical goods consume the electricity generated by the integrated crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell(s).

The commission will examine exports to Australia of the goods during 1 July 2012 to 31 December 2013 to determine if dumping has occurred.

The parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Industry may impose interim dumping duties if dumping has occurred, and has caused a material injury to Australian industry.