China's solar module exports to the US fell to 46MW

Manufacturers shifted production to Southeast Asia amidst the US’ anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties.

China’s solar module exports to the US as at September 2018 fell to 46MW, PV-Tech reports, citing data from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME).

In 2016, 2,868MW of solar modules were exported. This dropped in 2017 to 825MW.

The report adds that Chinese manufacturers shifted production to Southeast Asia in the wake of the anti-dumping (AD) and anti-subsidy (AS) duties applied in 2012 and 2015. The Section 201 duties applied by the US to all countries with any PV manufacturing heritage tightened the screw further.

However, low demand in China has led to a global price drop, which softened the impact of Section 201 in many countries.

Renewables equipment is one of the hardest hit by the ongoing trade conflict between the two countries. In August, China lodged a complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the US' decision to subsidize renewable energy firms and impose tariffs on imported products like photovoltaics. The tariffs will be imposed for four years starting at 30% in the first year reduced to 15% in the fourth.