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U.S. Solar Companies' Complaint Driven by Envy, China Says

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  • U.S. Solar Companies' Complaint Driven by Envy, China Says

    Last week, we discussed how seven U.S. solar manufacturers filed a petition with the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission for the U.S. government to raise duties on Chinese solar imports by more than 100%. In their petition, these solar manufacturers argued that they have been injured by Chinese manufacturers' dumping of crystalline solar cells on the U.S. market at prices below production costs. China Energy News reported today that this was a foolish, misguided attempt at trade protectionism driven by jealousy.

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  • #2
    Since Most module fabrication is robotic as witnessed at SPI low cost modules would increase domestic installations. This cannot be outsourced particularly in the residential markets. Yes we are giving up a few domestic manufacturing jobs but the integration market on the residential level more than makes up for it.
    NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

    [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

    [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

    [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

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    • #3
      Here is my two cents on Global Economics.

      Buy the least expensive product that meets the needs regardless of where or who made it.

      Here is why. If the USA were to put import tariffs on a product or service to force you to buy US made products or services means those products and services will cost you more money. That means you have less to buy other products that stimulate the economy.
      MSEE, PE

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      • #4
        All it really comes down to is the share holders of the 6 solar firms that created this coalition want to maximize profits. Most of these solar companies less than 4 years ago were making 30% profit margins on PV and are now complaining because margins are under 12%. Capitalism is survival of the fittest if the Chinese want to sell to us at a loss so be it.

        Look at companies like yingli and suntech power that are companies on break even margins that float close to bk levels.

        It's a clear look it's about profiting only from u.s companies stance.

        Tariffs only make a problem worse, it slows the economy down for contractors and installers that just want to work. Raising prices slows down growth and production.
        Tariffs are not the answer.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by johnkaven10
          Thanks for this.. very informative post. It really helps us a lot.
          nonsense posts will get deleted.
          Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
          || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
          || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

          solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
          gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

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          • #6
            Driven by envy, of no workplace/environmental restrictions, and not being able to compete fairly, on a level playing field.
            Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
            || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
            || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

            solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
            gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post
              Driven by envy, of no workplace/environmental restrictions, and not being able to compete fairly, on a level playing field.
              Low wages, no pollution controls, governmental assistance, funny currency - lots of problems.

              Several places where I worked overseas would be shutdown in a day in the US or Europe - pollution heaven! If the environmental inspector is a nuisance a few bucks make him happy - usually very few bucks.
              [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post
                Driven by envy, of no workplace/environmental restrictions, and not being able to compete fairly, on a level playing field.
                But noone would like to have those conditions in the US right? You can't change what happens in other countries. US companies just have to make their customers clear what the price premium they have offers them in additional value, despite buying american (or German, or Japanese). If you have a look at those numbers and count the number of western world countries in the list you can basically see in a minute how grim the outlook for those companies is.

                Trade restrictions are not the way to go. Offering better value, being innovative, creating new products is what has put countries like the US, Japan and Germany ahead for decades and hopefully will do so in the future as well.

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                • #9
                  Until you have worked in countries around the world and seen what goes on you can not appreciate the difference.

                  Most steel mils in the developing world would be closed in a day or two in the US and Europe - pollution.

                  Something to get rid of? Throw it over the back fence.

                  I have seen people working on asbestos products that were covered from head to foot in the white dust - with the little kids crawling around in it.

                  Often the environmental inspectors are poorly paid and therefore very easy to make 'happy' so they can't bother to notice the problems.
                  [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by russ View Post
                    Until you have worked in countries around the world and seen what goes on you can not appreciate the difference.

                    Most steel mils in the developing world would be closed in a day or two in the US and Europe - pollution.

                    Something to get rid of? Throw it over the back fence.

                    I have seen people working on asbestos products that were covered from head to foot in the white dust - with the little kids crawling around in it.

                    Often the environmental inspectors are poorly paid and therefore very easy to make 'happy' so they can't bother to notice the problems.
                    I completely agree with you there. The situation is bad, and neither good good for the environment nor the people working in such poor conditions. But is this a reason to improse trade sanctions? I don't think so. You could of course think about a environment tax on products imported from countries with poor environmental record. But how would you calculate something like this?

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by tomas90 View Post
                      I completely agree with you there. The situation is bad, and neither good good for the environment nor the people working in such poor conditions. But is this a reason to improse trade sanctions? I don't think so. You could of course think about a environment tax on products imported from countries with poor environmental record. But how would you calculate something like this?
                      Exceedingly difficult to calculate such a thing. In the US a company expects utilities to be brought to the company fence or inside. In the developing world the plant often has to run water, gas and electric lines themselves at their own expense.

                      Often the companies have to provide housing, schools, medical facilities, transportation etc.

                      If anyone figures out a good solution for all they can make him king of the world!
                      [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by russ View Post
                        Until you have worked in countries around the world and seen what goes on you can not appreciate the difference.

                        Most steel mils in the developing world would be closed in a day or two in the US and Europe - pollution.
                        completely agree with you russ...

                        we all take it for granted because many of us have never really traveled abroad or had the opportunity to work in manufacturing hubs in india, china, etc... The air quality we have in the usa and in europe is a luxury we all take for granted because we do not know what it is like living in an environment where the air quality is so poor you can smell the burning toxic fumes in the air.

                        there is a reason why no one lives near a landfill and a chemical processing plant - it stinks and is toxic. consumers are so fascinated with low prices that we ignore all the facts and simply like to take the easy route out. unfortunately i'm also one of those individuals who love the lowest price... all comes down to supply and demand and a lot of griping...

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