Tariffs On Chinese Solar Cells May Boost Prices

[Capt Worley PE]

The U.S. yesterday imposed tariffs of as much as 250 percent on Chinese-made solar cells to aid domestic manufacturers beset by foreign competition, though critics said the decision may end up raising prices and hurting the U.S. renewable energy industry.

The U.S. Commerce Department ruled that Chinese manufacturers sold cells in the U.S. at prices below the cost of production and announced preliminary antidumping duties ranging from 31 percent to 250 percent, depending on the manufacturer. China criticized the action, saying the U.S. is hurting itself and cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.

I liked this quote:

The tariffs “will increase solar electricity prices in the U.S. precisely at the moment solar power is becoming competitive with fossil fuel generated electricity,” Shah said in a statement. “This new artificial tax will undermine the success of the U.S. solar industry.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-17/u-s-solar-tariffs-on-chinese-cells-may-boost-prices.html

 

[engineergurl]

well, what else would you expect...

 

[Capt Worley PE]

I just think the phrase 'success of the US solar industry' is hilarious, because since the seventies, it has been anything but a success.

 

[Supe]

Its becoming competitive with fossil fuels? Mmmmkay.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

Well, if they boost the cost of electricity up to 43 cents kW-hr like Germany, then maybe, but even still...

 

[knight1fox3]

Its becoming competitive with fossil fuels? Mmmmkay.

Efficiency is a problem though.