SEIA Urges SolarWorld to Offer Counter Proposal in Trade Dispute

In hopes of ending the long-running and costly U.S.-China solar trade dispute, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today urged SolarWorld Americas LLC to offer a specific proposal which could serve as the basis for discussions in renewed attempts to reach a negotiated settlement.

Since the divisive solar trade war first erupted in 2011, “SEIA has been steadfast in its support for the rules-based global trading system, including trade remedy proceedings,” Rhone Resch, SEIA president and CEO, wrote in a letter to SolarWorld’s leadership.  “Continued litigation is bad for the industry and, we believe, bad for SolarWorld.  SEIA’s settlement proposal remains the best path forward. But we will not preclude any settlement option that serves the greater interests of the U.S. solar industry.”

Resch also stressed that SEIA represents the entire solar value chain in the United States –including manufacturers, installers, financiers, engineers, project developers, consultants and retailers – and is committed to finding an “industry-wide solution.”

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About SEIA:

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to champion the use of clean, affordable solar in America by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

Media Contacts:

Ken Johnson, SEIA Vice President of Communications, kjohnson@seia.org (202) 556-2885

Samantha Page, SEIA Press Officer and Communications Manager, spage@seia.org (202) 556-2886