The ITC Remedy Hearing. As I prepare for the remedy hearing that starts in a few hours, I am looking at the witness list that consists of solar professionals, lawyers and diplomats. This is a hearing to discuss the remedy that is requested by the petitioners and the answer by the trade association. SEIA rightfully pointed out that Suniva’s request for module tariffs is above the allowed 50% tariff under the 201 petition. SolarWorld is requesting an import quota on cell and modules and is not expected to support a minimum price. SEIA also proposed some options which include doing something with the tariff deposits from the first two tariff cases and an import license that could create monies for domestic manufacturing.
What Isn’t Expected To Happen. Anything off script. Most people in the room don’t expect to hear anything that they don’t plan on hearing. All sides will say what they planned for and nobody is expecting any surprises. No deal is expected to be announced but don’t be surprised if you start hearing talk about a deal being discussed. Too many what if scenarios to really get into now and there isn’t a lot of precedent when it comes to the 201 petition.
What Happens Next? Depending on how the feedback, if any, from the commissioners affects the mood in the room, expect the parties to keep talking. It doesn’t seem like there is a path where this doesn’t end up on the President’s desk so there will remain a wild card until the end. I also remain skeptical that without a corporate solution for Suniva and perhaps SolarWorld, that a deal can be had. I will be looking for sidebars and one on one conversations tomorrow at the hearing. The remedy vote will be on October 31st, same day as SolarWakeup Live! Boston and a topic that is expected to be discussed in detail.
- Dan Shugar: Jobs and Gigawatts – How To Position Your Solar Company In Light Of The Suniva Trade Case
- PV-Magazine: From the editor – Playing with fire
- Bloomberg: Trump May Have Found Paths to Save Coal and Hobble Clean Energy
- Houston Chronicle: Total CEO hopes Trump “will not impear” solar
- GreenBiz: What civilians can learn from military investments in solar
- Miami Herald: Report – Review shows Florida’s utility watchdog has become a lapdog
- Utility Dive: Report charts a path for more corporate purchases of utility-scale solar power
- Greentech Media: Shell Technology Ventures Dives Into China’s Cleantech Market
Opinion
Have a great day!
Yann