SolarWorld Americas Inc., the largest U.S. crystalline-silicon solar-technology manufacturer for more than 42 years, commended the 4-0, bipartisan vote of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that determined a surge of imports has seriously injured the domestic solar cell and panel manufacturing industry. 

The determination means that the underlying Section 201 case will move into a remedy phase. SolarWorld and Suniva Inc. are co-petitioners in the case. 

"On behalf of the entire solar cell and panel manufacturing industry, we welcome this important step toward securing relief from a surge of imports that has idled and shuttered dozens of factories, leaving thousands of workers without jobs," said Juergen Stein, CEO and president of SolarWorld Americas. "In the remedy phase of the process, we will strive to help fashion a remedy that will put the U.S. industry as a whole back on a growth path. We will continue to invite the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and our industry partners to work on good solutions for the entire industry. It is time for the industry to come together to strengthen American solar manufacturing for the long term." 

Nearly 30 U.S. solar-panel producers ceased manufacturing operations from 2012 to 2016, the period of investigation in the case, according to ITC figures. 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 International Trade Commission data. 

The ITC will now conduct the remedy phase, including a hearing on Oct. 3 and a recommendation to the President on Nov. 13. President Trump then will have about two months to adopt that recommendation or another remedy. 

SolarWorld | www.solarworld.com