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Europe is the most solarised region in the world with 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar power installed. Back in 2013, the European Commission imposed trade defence measures on solar modules and cells imported from China. While module manufacturers welcomed the action, technology manufacturers and developers argued that such a move would drive up the cost of solar panels, leading to a slowdown in the deployment of the technology and job losses across the industry.

In December 2015, the European Commission announced a review of the measures. It is expected to make a decision by early 2017.

EURACTIV organised this high-level stakeholder workshop to discuss the trade duties on solar modules and cells imported from China. Questions included:
- Do trade measures limit the full potential of solar power in Europe?
- Can the abolishing of trade duties create more jobs in Europe?
- What outcomes can be expected from the review?

Do not miss our Special Report Sunlight at the end of the tunnel?
Europe is the most solarised region in the world, but deployment of technology needs to be stepped up if the bloc is to meet its climate commitments.
Meanwhile the EU and China have been locked in a long-running trade war over Chinese solar products, with the European Commission imposing punitive anti-dumping measures on Chinese imports.
This Special Report investigates whether the time is right to remove those duties, as the Commission considers whether to bring the dispute to an end or keep the measures in place.

Interview to MEP Christopher Fjellner, one of our speakers, on EU tariffs on Chinese solar imports

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Solar power in Europe: Free trade or trade duties?