Expiry of Chinese Solar Module Finding

Summary#

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal says a 2015 finding about the dumping and subsidizing of certain photovoltaic modules and laminates from the People’s Republic of China is scheduled to expire on July 2, 2020 unless it opens an expiry review. Interested parties were asked to register by April 17, 2020 and to file submissions by April 27, 2020.

What it does#

• Notes the scheduled expiry (Expiry No. LE-2020-001) of the Tribunal’s finding made on July 3, 2015 in Inquiry No. NQ-2014-003 under the Special Import Measures Act.
• Covers crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules and laminates, and thin-film photovoltaic products (aSi, CdTe, CIGS) originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China.
• Lists product exclusions:
  • products with power output not exceeding 100 W;
  • products incorporated into electrical goods whose main function is not power generation and that consume the electricity produced by the photovoltaic product;
  • 195 W monocrystalline modules made of 72 monocrystalline cells, each cell no more than 5 in. in width and height.
• Invites interested firms, organizations, persons or governments to file a notice of participation and related documents electronically through the Tribunal’s E-Registry pilot project by April 17, 2020.
• Timetable from the notice:
  • Notices of participation and representation due April 17, 2020.
  • Submissions due April 27, 2020.
  • Responses (if opposing views) due May 6, 2020.
  • Tribunal decision on whether to initiate an expiry review by May 21, 2020.

Who's affected#

• Importers and distributors of photovoltaic modules and laminates from the People’s Republic of China.
• Canadian manufacturers of solar modules and related components.
• Solar project developers, installers and buyers who could see changes in supply or price.
• Trade lawyers, industry associations and government trade officials who monitor anti-dumping and subsidy cases.

If it’s unclear whether a specific product is covered, the notice lists the technical exclusions above.

Why it matters#

• The Tribunal will decide whether the 2015 finding should continue to apply. If the Tribunal does not start a review, the finding will expire as scheduled. If it does start a review, the finding could remain under review and its effects could continue while the review proceeds.
• That decision affects competition and market signals: it could influence the future volume and price of imports from China and the business outlook for Canadian solar manufacturers and installers.
• The notice is the formal step that allows interested parties to submit evidence about likely dumping or subsidizing, and about how the Canadian industry could be affected.