Research conducted by the US' National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has concluded that Chinese production of crystalline silicon solar technology for the US market exceeds the cost of US production when shipping is included.
The study has been welcomed by the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM), which has launched an enquiry with the International Trade Association and US Department of Commerce against alleged anti-competitive practices by Chinese solar companies.
The NREL presentation claims that Chinese manufacturers have an inherent cost advantage over US producers of just one per cent and, when shipping is taken into account, this becomes a five per cent disadvantage.
Gordon Brinser, president of CASM leader SolarWorld, said, 'This analysis from the renewable-energy research arm of the US government corroborates our view that an export drive sponsored by the Chinese government is improperly intervening in the US market. Highly efficient US producers like SolarWorld can vie with any company in the world in legal competition. But the government of China's illegal trade practices are neither economically nor environmentally sustainable for anyone. Free trade is trade free of illegal foreign government intervention.'
He added, 'We are countering the illegal trade practices of China and its state-sponsored industry only as a first step to reviving renewable-energy competition, manufacturing and jobs and augmenting national energy security and world environmental stewardship.'