Statement opposing trade defence measures

The signatories to this statement, 433 companies, among which 18 manufacturers, 28 associations and research institutes, from 26 Member States, are united in a clear call.

There must be no trade defence measures on solar PV products entering Europe.  

Only 5 years ago, we had import tariffs in place which saw solar jobs, project investment, and solar deployment severely declined resulting in the increase in solar PV costs to customers and consumers. 

We urge the European Commission to look at constructive and urgent actions to provide long-term and sustainable support to the European solar industry:  

• Adjust the EU State Aid framework (the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework) to allow Member States to support running costs of factories – i.e. opex;  
• Mandate specific resilience auctions a.o. within Member States under a swiftly-adopted EU Net-Zero Industry Act; and  
• Set up an EU-level financing instrument dedicated to supporting EU solar PV manufacturing projects.  

Alongside the joint statement, SolarPower Europe have sent a letter to EU leaders to warn of trade measures. The letter advises that Europe’s solar manufacturing goals are within reach with proper industrial policy and effective market access standards, like the Forced Labour Ban or Ecodesign rules. 

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