Trade war stalks solar energy

If feds rule against China, gains in U.S. clean energy are at risk

By Keith Cronin

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 15, 2012

~~<p>Hawaii's progress toward money-saving, job-creating, environmentally friendly solar energy will reach a crucial crossroads on Thursday when the U.S. Department of Commerce will decide whether to set steep tariffs on some solar cells and modules imported from China.</p>
<p>This ruling will respond to a complaint by SolarWorld, a German-owned company with one facility in Oregon, charging that China is "dumping" solar panels on the U.S. market. In a preliminary determination last month, the Commerce Department set low countervailing duties, or tariffs, on these imports.</p>
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Hawaii's progress toward money-saving, job-creating, environmentally friendly solar energy will reach a crucial crossroads on Thursday when the U.S. Department of Commerce will decide whether to set steep tariffs on some solar cells and modules imported from China.

This ruling will respond to a complaint by SolarWorld, a German-owned company with one facility in Oregon, charging that China is "dumping" solar panels on the U.S. market. In a preliminary determination last month, the Commerce Department set low countervailing duties, or tariffs, on these imports. Login for more...