TrendForce: DOE to Start Investigating The Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Toward Taiwan’s PV Products Import

International Trade Association (ITA), an institute belongs to the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced that they will start investigating the anti-dumping and countervailing duties on PV products from China and Taiwan. Products including Ingots, wafers, PV cells and PV modules made in Taiwan are all involved in the documents SolarWorld brought up, and this may prevent Chinese and Taiwanese makers from turning to other regions for further OEM process. International Trade Committee (ITC) will adjudicate on February 14^th. Whether they judge PV products imported from China and Taiwan truly cause harm to the U.S. PV industry or not, DOC will announce the initial duties regarding anti-dumping policy on June 11^th and duties for countervailing on March 28^th .

Anti-subsidy is not likely to be established in Taiwan because there is no actual subsidy issued in comparison with China. However, according to EnergyTrend’s research, Taiwanese manufacturers are likely to face the anti-dumping duties as their revenue in recent years was in line with the definition of “anti-dumping” – products were sold in price that was lower than the cost. This fact can be justified in SolarWorld’s strategy for the lawsuit: Taiwan’s dumping margin is accused to be 75.68% and China’s, 165.04%.

In regards to the supply and demand, EnergyTrend estimates that the PV demand from the States in 2014 will reach around 6GW and the global silicon wafer production capacity will be about 58GW. Yet, almost 52GW of silicon wafers will be produced in China and Taiwan. Due to SolarWorld’s accusation, PV products exported to the U.S., which are involved in ones produced in China or Taiwan, might be charged for countervailing duties. Despite the declined market shares of Chinese and Taiwanese products in the U.S., PV projects in the States (such as SunPower’s) may be charged for duties because they use some wafers made in Taiwan. As a result, customers of the 6GW U.S. market can only use thin films, CPV or si-based modules that aren’t made in China or Taiwan to avoid being charged with the duties.

Situation now reveals that Taiwanese manufacturers are very likely to be charged the anti-dumping duties so it’s better for them to start establish unions with PV makers targeting at the U.S. market for a lower rate to reduce the harm. In addition, as some Taiwanese silicon thin film makers are still endeavoring for survival, this situation may be a good opportunity for them.