In a brief statement on its website today, Chinese module giant Trina Solar has announced its intent to ‘vigorously' defend itself against a ‘baseless' lawsuit lodged against it in the Eastern District of the Michigan District Court.
Following in the footsteps of co-defendant Yingli, Trina has dismissed claims the two companies colluded with each other and with fellow manufacturer Suntech to dump below-cost solar modules in the U.S. with the aim of driving American manufacturers out of business.
The Trina statement read: "The company (Trina) believes the lawsuit is without merit and will vigorously defend itself against the baseless allegations in the complaint. The company is not in a position to evaluate the potential impact of this lawsuit on its business at this time."
In the lawsuit, filed by a trust representing bankrupt U.S. thin film manufacturer Energy Conversion Devices, polysilicon suppliers ‘such as' GCL-Poly and Daqo New Energy are named co-conspirators along with three Chinese banks and a Chinese state-run solar trade body.
No figure has been set by the complainant for compensation but court papers state the alleged action by the defendants deprived Energy Conversion Devices of access to a US$200 billion industrial and commercial rooftop market.
Suntech has made no comment in relation to the case and is likely to be distracted by the ongoing bid by Jiangsu Shunfeng and Wuxi Guolian Group for an equity stake in its insolvent Wuxi Suntech unit.
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