PV leader confident in co-op with EU firms

TIANJIN - China's leading solar panel manufacturer, Trina Solar, is confident in the future cooperation with European companies despite the European Commission filing an anti-dumping investigation over Chinese photovoltaic (PV) products last Thursday.

The manufacturer expressed its confidence on Tuesday at the ongoing sixth Summer Davos Forum, formally known as the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions. It is being held from Sept 11 to 13 in north China's port city of Tianjin.

China should review its PV industry and accelerate exploitation of its domestic market in order to maintain sustainable development, said Gao Jifan, chairman and CEO of Trina Solar, during an interactive session at the forum.

The European Commission decided to investigate the suspected dumping of solar panels by Chinese producers but it has not made a final decision, Gao said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel reached an agreement on the recent dispute at the end of August, that China and Europe should try to resolve the issue through talks and avoid anti-dumping proceedings, Gao added.

In July, Germany's solar energy company -- SolarWorld and several European enterprises filed an anti-dumping complaint regarding Chinese solar products with the European Commission.

The case is the largest trade dispute involving China in terms of trade volume, as the country's solar product exports were valued at 35.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2011. The EU receives a share of more than 60 percent, or 20.4 billion U.S. dollars.

China's solar energy industry will see more opportunities during 2010-2020 as new solar energy-oriented systems are being formed, Gao said.

Gao also pointed out that new energy played an important role in improving the living standards of poverty-stricken areas throughout the world.

Themed "Greating the Future Economy", the three-day forum will feature a list of interactive programs, including the Euro crisis, China's future economy and global food security among others.

Northern Chinese port cities of Dalian and Tianjin have hosted the forum in turn since 2007.