Chinese Solar Panels Hit the Skids: Why Isn't SolarWorld Celebrating

[Jason]

The crushing blow of huge tariffs has taken its toll on Chinese solar panel manufacturers. The AP ran an article last week, enumerating the woes facing the Chinese manufacturers. According to the article, the Chinese solar panel industry is faced with several major challenges, not the least of which are the tariffs, but looming not far behind are other issues. Besides the tariffs, the companies have experienced weak sales in Europe. And even within the solar industry within China, small companies have popped up driven by incentives to take on the five major manufacturers. Many Chinese manufacturers have accumulated a huge amount of debt, as much as $17.5 billion. The article cites industry analysts who predict possible mergers, bankruptcies, factory closures or layoffs.

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[kieranmullen]

Why not copy and paste the entire aritcle if it is short?

I live about 3 miles away from Solarworld. Sure they have American employees but it is a foreign owned company. Their panels have always been quoted as a premium option even though we are local. Makes no sense to me.

The crushing blow of huge tariffs has taken its toll on Chinese solar panel manufacturers. The AP ran an article last week, enumerating the woes facing the Chinese manufacturers. According to the article, the Chinese solar panel industry is faced with several major challenges, not the least of which are the tariffs, but looming not far behind are other issues. Besides the tariffs, the companies have experienced weak sales in Europe. And even within the solar industry within China, small companies have popped up driven by incentives to take on the five major manufacturers. Many Chinese manufacturers have accumulated a huge amount of debt, as much as $17.5 billion. The article cites industry analysts who predict possible mergers, bankruptcies, factory closures or layoffs.

More...

[Naptown]

Why not copy and paste the entire aritcle if it is short?

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this has to do with copyright laws. Cutting and pasting without providing a source link could get the forum in trouble.

[Sunking]

This is what happens when governments offer incentives and tries to pick winners. It creates a false market. Take away the incentives and the whole house of cards collapse. Governments are broke and can no longer give money away for foolish purposes and entitlements which people do not deserve.

Well here is the deal, at least in the USA. Chinese panels were dirt cheap here in the USA. That is what is driving the large installation numbers here. People were buying China panels. Well now the US Government put huge tariffs on Chinese panels trying to prop up US manufactures. But guess what? US made panels are to expensive, the market will collapse and put hundreds if not thousands of installers and distributors out of work and bankrupt. The whole house of cards is collapsing. If you have stock in a Solar Manufacture get out now while it is still worth something. If you wait you will get caught holding worthless paper when that company goes bankrupt.

[freeenergy]

Does anyone know when we can expect a ruling in the US Dept of Commerce 31% anti-dumping tariff?

[kieranmullen]

There seems to be one made on Nov 8th... According to google news

My neighbor had mentioned it today, she was laid off on Monday as an Executive Assistant at Solarworld.

Does anyone know when we can expect a ruling in the US Dept of Commerce 31% anti-dumping tariff?

[Sunking]

More good news. Texas Instruments who makes the silicon announced yesterday it is laying off 17,000 employees for Xmas. They were shipping wafers to China for PV panels. Now that demand evaporated.

[kieranmullen]

The Chinese can't master everything... Yet... They also get LED's from places like Denmark for Lightbulbs.

More good news. Texas Instruments who makes the silicon announced yesterday it is laying off 17,000 employees for Xmas. They were shipping wafers to China for PV panels. Now that demand evaporated.

[Sunking]

The Chinese can't master everything...

Just give them time. China is about where the USA was at the end of WWII. China is a Juggernaut and they have only taken their first step. Only about 5% of China is developed and there is nothing that can stop them.

[freeenergy]

Which cells to buy?

Just give them time. China is about where the USA was at the end of WWII. China is a Juggernaut and they have only taken their first step. Only about 5% of China is developed and there is nothing that can stop them.

Where's a good place to buy high quality US made 6x6 inch cells? DM solar has them for about a dollar per watt. Searches don't show me much better than that. Any advice?

[russ]

Where's a good place to buy high quality US made 6x6 inch cells? DM solar has them for about a dollar per watt. Searches don't show me much better than that. Any advice?

Nope - who in their right mind is looking for cells at even a fraction of that price when you can buy factory panels in the same range - with warranty.