Fed trade officials rule against Chinese solar panels

In an unanimous 6-0 decision, the U.S. International Trade Commission has determined that solar panel manufacturers in the United States have been injured by underpriced imports from China. This clears the way for tariffs and anti-dumping penalties by the U.S. Commerce Department, which has already projected it will levy countervailing duties of 24% to 36% against imported Chinese photovoltaic cell (PVC) panels.

The case was brought before the ITC by SolarWorld Industries America of Hillsboro, Ore., one of 14 manufacturers of solar panels in the United States. According to the ITC, China imports 57.1% of the $3.01 billion market in PVC solar panels in the United States.