China Solar Cells: Commerce Finalizes Another Off-Grid Panels Exemption From AD/CVD
The Commerce Department finalized another new exemption for off-grid panels from antidumping and countervailing duties on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, from China (A-570-979/C-570-980), it said in the final results of a changed circumstances review released March 19. Commerce confirmed its preliminary finding that “substantially all” U.S. producers of solar cells, including original petitioner American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing, don't oppose Source Global's request to create the exemption.
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As a result, Commerce is adding the following exemption to the scope of the AD/CVD orders on solar cells from China:
"Off-grid crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels in rigid form with a glass cover, with each of the following physical characteristics, whether or not assembled into a fully completed off-grid hydropanel whose function is conversion of water vapor into liquid water:
- (A) A total power output of no more than 180 watts per panel at 155 degrees Celsius;
- (B) A surface area of less than 16,000 square centimeters (cm2) per panel;
- (C) Include a keep-out area of approximately 1,200 cm2 around the edges of the panel that does not contain solar cells;
- (D) Do not include a built-in inverter;
- (E) Do not have a frame around the edges of the panel;
- (F) Include a clear glass back panel;
- (G) Must include a permanently connected wire that terminates in a two-port rounded rectangular, sealed connector;
- (H) Include a thermistor installed into the permanently connected wire before the twoport connector; and
- (I) Include exposed positive and negative terminals at opposite ends of the panel, not enclosed in a junction box."
The exemption from AD will take retroactive effect for entries on or after Dec. 1, 2021, and the exemption for CVD will take retroactive effect for entries on or after Jan. 1, 2021. Commerce said it "will instruct CBP to liquidate without regard to antidumping and countervailing duties, and to refund any estimated antidumping and countervailing duties on, all unliquidated entries of the merchandise covered by this partial revocation on or after" those dates, which are the "beginning dates of the earliest periods of review not covered by the final results of an administrative review or automatic liquidation instructions."