The DOC imposed preliminary duties of 35.21% on imports of solar panels manufactured by Suntech Power, 18.56% on Trina Solar and 26.89% on other Chinese firms.
The department is planning to reveal anti-dumping duties in the same cases on July 25, 2014.
Commenting on the US DOC’s decision, SolarWorld Industries America president Mukesh Dulani said, "Today is a strong win for the U.S. solar industry."
"We look forward to the end of illegal Chinese government intervention in the U.S. solar market, and we applaud Commerce for its work that supports fair trade," Dulani added.
The US crystalline silicon solar manufacturing industry won duties averaging 31% in late 2012 to offset illegal government subsidies that allowed Chinese manufacturers to sell at artificially low prices in American market.
SolarWorld said most of the Chinese firms avoided the duties by commissioning manufacturers in other countries to partially or fully produce solar photovoltaic cells for assembly into solar panels back in their country.
Citing state-controlled Chinese media, SolarWorld reported that about 70% of US imports from China contain Taiwanese cells.
SolarWorld filed petition against Chinese solar manufactures alleging that they benefit from an array of government assistance, including cash grants, discounted loans and loan guarantees.
The company also alleges China benefits from free land and utilities, and heavily discounted polysilicon, solar glass and aluminum extrusions.
Image: The DOC imposed preliminary duties of 35.21% on imports of solar panels manufactured by Suntech Power. Photo: Courtesy of graur codrin/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
