SolarWorld Americas Joins Suniva as Co-Petitioner for Global Safeguard

Suniva, Inc. confirms today that it has notified the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) that it has amended its petition for a global safeguard under Section 201-202 of the Trade Act of 1974, to add SolarWorld Americas, Inc. as a co-petitioner.SolarWorld and Suniva account for the vast majority of U.S. solar manufacturing production. This action unites the industry in its battle to protect and grow American manufacturing jobs, and provide greater stability in the ongoing efforts to insure the country’s energy security.

“Suniva welcomes SolarWorld to this important battle,” said Matt Card, Suniva’s Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations. “SolarWorld’s ongoing efforts to protect U.S. solar manufacturing are long and well-established, and we are pleased they are joining this latest effort with us, as our industry now speaks with one, unified voice,” said Mr. Card.

This action comes as the ITC has initiated its investigation into the petition for a global safeguard concerning crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules. “Without a global safeguard, the U.S. solar manufacturing industry will die and we will not only lose solar manufacturing jobs today, but also those future jobs that will come from investing in the solar manufacturing industry of tomorrow,” said Mr. Card.

U.S. solar manufacturers face serious injury from the ongoing and increasing influx of foreign imports, which continue to drive down domestic prices. Since 2013, when the U.S. Government instituted anti-dumping and countervailing duties against manufacturers in certain countries, manufacturing has expanded to other countries, particularly in Asia, and increasing imports fueled by a growing global manufacturing overcapacity have caused U.S. market prices to fall to levels that challenge responsible economic operations for U.S. manufacturers. The resulting faltering economics have led to dramatic job losses throughout the manufacturing industry, impacting workers in multiple companies over the last 12 months.

Contacts
Mayer-Brown LLP
Christian Hudson
chudson@mayerbrown.com