As details of the settlement between Chinese solar panel manufacturers and EC trade negotiators emerge, anti-tariff trade group AFASE has criticized the apparent lack of regression in the minimum purchase price reported.
With European Commission trade commissioner Karel De Gucht reported to have agreed a minimum price of 0.56 per watt (US$0.74/W) for Chinese modules imported to the EU as well as an annual cap in volume of 7 GW the Alliance for Affordable Solar Energy (AFASE), has called for a regression to any minimum price agreed.
An AFASE spokesman told pv magazine: "The numbers mentioned in reports aren't sustainable and don't take into account the need for continued cost reductions to offset ongoing tariff cuts.
"If accurate, 0.56 per watt represents an increase of 20% or more compared to the market price pre-registration, i.e. between 0.45 per watt and 0.46 per watt with some prices as low as 0.38 per watt.
"A minimum import price of 0.56 per watt in most markets, especially those with decreasing feed-in tariffs, will substantially jeopardize commercial rooftop installations and prevent large ground-mount installations."
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