In response to a petition by the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) the Directorate of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties, India, has initiated an investigation against solar equipment imports from China. The solar cell and equipment imports, the Association claims, are hurting the domestic industry in more than one ways. And that includes aluminium extrusions sector as well.
According to the Association, DGAD should impose anti-dumping duty on imported solar equipment and panels that use aluminium frames in the structure.
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According to the industry sources, solar cells and panels, with or without aluminium frames, have been flowing into the Indian market in large quantities in the recent times. The source countries tracked include China, Malaysia, and Taiwan. In May 2016, there was a price difference of up to INR65 lakh per MW between domestically produced solar panels and imported ones.
The difference has grown since then. ISMA also studied that almost 81 per cent of the total Indian market share has been held by solar panels dumped by these countries during the period proposed for review.
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Aluminium frames around the solar panels have been an important, yet an often ignored component of a solar panel. They not only provide structural stability for the overall combination of glass, EVA encapsulant, the cell and the back-sheet, but can also go a long way in ensuring that the modules remain intact and are defect-free for long.
The increased import of solar panels, cells and equipment from China signifies a shrinking market for aluminium frames. The dumping margin estimated is above de minimis levels and is significant, confirmed DGAD.
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