Solar Manufacturers Organize to Press for Free Trade in Solar Equipment
Governments should promote sustainable solar markets by allowing the solar industry to trade freely and fairly on the basis of quality, technology, service, and price, said the newly formed Global Solar Council. "As a global industry with customers, producers and supply chains around the world, solar PV depends on international trade for its continued success," it said in a statement.
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The council said it supports "a strong, effective, and enforceable international trading system that promotes free and open trade." But, "in a growing number of countries and regions around the world, the growth of solar PV is facing threats from calls for restrictive trade measures that hinder access to markets rather than provide it," it said.
The GSC urged favorable policy regimes, reducing import duties on manufacturing inputs, and other measures.
The founding of the Global Solar Council, a CEO-level industry coalition, was announced May 3 in Brussels. Roland-Jan Meijer is the newly-appointed executive director. Founding members include Applied Materials, Dow Corning, DuPont, First Solar, Lanco Solar, Phoenix Solar, and Suntech.