This week, 21 EU solar associations, representing 19 EU member states, called on the European Commission to end the Minimum Import Price (MIP), anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on solar modules and cells imported from China.
The duties have been in place since the end of 2013, and have applied during a period where the rate of solar installations in Europe have slowed down considerably - with just 7 GW installed in Europe in 2014.
James Watson, CEO of SolarPower Europe, "This unprecedented national associations letter to Commissioner Malmstrom makes it clear that the European solar sector wants the trade duties removed at the end of 2015 as planned."
National solar associations from Germany, Italy, Poland, the UK, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, Ireland, Croatia, Romania, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovakia, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, Slovenia and SolarPower Europe, the representative umbrella association for the European solar sector, signed the letter.
Watson added, "The signatories of this letter represent more than 80% of the solar sector in Europe, sending a clear message that the MIP and duties must be brought to an end as planned this year. We need to move beyond duties and ensure that the highest quality solar products are promoted in the EU."
