China-based PV module makers and Taiwan-based crystalline silicon solar cell makers, in an attempt to avoid US anti-subsidization and anti-dumping tariffs, are seeking production capacities in locations outside of China and Taiwan, according to industry sources.
They are looking to acquire existing factories or vacant factories along with production equipment, or stake investments in existing producers to acquire portions of their capacities, the sources said.
The US Department of Commerce has imposed preliminary anti-subsidization and anti-dumping tariff rates on China-produced PV modules makers and additionally anti-dumping tariff rates on Taiwan-based solar cell makers who supply solar cells for China-based makers to produce PV modules for export to the US market.
In order to avoid the tax burden, China-based PV module makers and Taiwan-based solar cell makers cannot but seek production capacities in third locations, the sources indicated.
However, since PV factories in third locations, such as in Malaysia and South Korea, have asked high prices or been in financial troubles, no China-based PV module makers or Taiwan-based solar cell makers have struck deals with any of them so far, the sources said.
