The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has judged that imported PV products from China and Taiwan have been substantially detrimental to the US PV industry and consequently, about 70% of Taiwan-based crystalline silicon solar cell and/or PV module makers are expected to temporarily withdraw from the US market, according to industry sources.
Based on the ITC judgment, the US Department of Commerce will formally impose final anti-dumping tariffs on Taiwan-based solar cell makers, with Motech Industries subject to 11.45%, Gintech Energy to 27.55% and others to 19.5%. In comparison, China-based PV module makers will be imposed with anti-dumping and anti-subsidy rates of 70-90% but can instead choose a reduced 2012 rate of 17.50% after the US Department of Commerce reviews tariff rates imposed in 2012, the sources indicated.
Thus, China-based PV module makers will no longer use Taiwan-made solar cells and Taiwan-based PV module makers will struggle to compete with China-based makers in the US market due to higher taxation, the sources said.
Among Taiwan-based PV makers, Motech is expected to cooperate with international PV module vendors and AU Optronics produces high-efficiency solar cells and PV modules in Malaysia for export to the US market, the sources indicated. Taiwan-based solar cell maker Neo Solar Power is likely to set up production lines in the US, the sources said.
