IN DEPTH: Solar faces civil war over new EU trade complaint

EPIA president Winfried Hoffmann

The second trade complaint filed by SolarWorld with the European Commission (EC) — this time accusing Chinese PV manufacturers of receiving illegal subsidies — has left the EU solar industry on the brink of civil war, and looking for a unifying voice.

To an even greater extent than the first complaint taken up by the EC on 6 September, which involves alleged dumping of Chinese PV products in Europe, the question of whether Chinese firms have received preferential treatment at home has left the European industry pulling in a dozen directions.

This splintering of opinions and interests comes just as PV is starting to carve a place for itself in Europe’s mainstream energy system, and so finds itself facing a host of powerful new enemies.

Regardless of their views on the merits of…

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