Govt probing import of solar cells .

Mumbai: India is probing allegations that suppliers from the US, China, Taiwan and Malaysia sold solar cells in the South Asian nation below cost and whether retroactive duties should be imposed.

“There’s sufficient prima facie evidence to warrant an investigation into the dumping claims filed by local manufacturers Indosolar Ltd., Jupiter Solar Power Ltd. and Websol Energy System Ltd,” ministry of commerce and industry said in a 23 November statement on its website.

The investigation will include imports of both crystalline- silicon and thin-film photovoltaic cells sold in the country between 1 January and 30 June, 2011. Suppliers, importers and users of the cells have until 2 January to respond to the allegations, it said.

India joins a trade dispute among the world’s biggest economies as the solar-manufacturing industry grapples with overcapacity and declining profits.

The US set final duties on Chinese solar-cell imports on 10 October and the European Union is investigating whether Chinese manufacturers are selling cells and panels at a loss. China started its own probe this week to determine if US, European and South Korean suppliers are dumping polysilicon, the raw material used in panels.


Source : livemint.com