Coalition for a Prosperous America Supports Section 201 Solar Trade Case

“Thousands of workers have lost good paying U.S. jobs”

HILLSBORO, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) –a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization representing the interests of 4.1 million households across
the United States– has joined domestic solar cell and module
manufacturers’ calls for fair competition in the U.S. solar market
through the imposition of Section 201 trade relief, according to
trade-case co-petitioners SolarWorld
Americas Inc. and Suniva
Inc.

CPA has sent
a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), urging
the agency to reach an affirmative determination in the Section 201 case
and find that global production overcapacity has fueled a surge of solar
imports to the U.S. market, which has seriously injured the domestic
solar-panel manufacturing industry, SolarWorld and Suniva say.

CPA “is working for a new and positive U.S. trade policy that delivers
prosperity and security to America, its citizens, farms, factories and
working people,” according to its website. “We believe America can
provide good jobs for workers, affordable goods for consumers,
opportunity for farms and manufacturers and a clean environment without
compromising our national sovereignty and security.”

The organization’s letter says its members “know all too well the severe
impact that destructive import surges can have on domestic
manufacturers, their workers and economic growth. Global overcapacity is
a major challenge across the world as some countries engage in
strategies to overproduce, under consume and excessively rely upon
deficit country consumers (such as the US) for their economic growth.”

“Thousands of workers have lost good paying U.S. jobs as a result,” the
letter says. “That these severe effects occurred during a period of
booming U.S. demand, and despite two successful solar trade cases, is
all the more troubling…”

Nearly 30 U.S. solar-panel producers ceased manufacturing operations
from 2012 to 2016, the period of investigation in the case. During this
period, global imports increased nearly five-fold. This surge was led by
China, whose imports rose by more than 700 percent, according to ITC
data.

Four commissioners of the ITC will vote on Sept. 22 whether imports have
caused, or threatened to cause, serious injury to the domestic industry.
If at least two vote affirmatively, the ITC will proceed to the remedy
phase of the investigation.

About SolarWorld REAL VALUE: SolarWorld Americas Inc., the
largest U.S. crystalline-silicon solar manufacturer for more than 42
years, produces and sells high-tech solar power solutions and, in doing
so, contributes to a cleaner energy supply throughout the Americas. The
company maintains 430 megawatts of annual capacity to produce solar
cells and 550 MW of capacity to manufacture solar modules. The company’s
brand stands for a proven track record of quality and reliability, and
SolarWorld is the only producer whose industrial lineage has outlived
its products’ 25- and 30-year performance guarantees. SolarWorld upholds
high social standards and commits itself to resource- and
energy-efficient production. With its program Solar2World, the company
supports the expansion of solar power in developing countries in Latin
America. Connect with SolarWorld on Facebook,
Twitter,
LinkedIn,
Instagram
and www.solarworld.com.

About Suniva: Suniva is a leading U.S.-born, U.S.-operated
manufacturer of high-efficiency crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV)
solar cells and high-power solar modules. The company is known for its
high-quality products, industry-leading technology, reliable
performance, and high power density.

Contacts

SolarWorld Americas Inc.
Ben Santarris, 503-693-5189
Head
of Corporate Communications
Mobile: 503-927-9858
[email protected]
or
Suniva
Christian
Hudson
[email protected]