The EU has announced its commitment and lower import price (MIP) decision on crystalline PV products from China. As proposed in July, MIP will now be reduced on a quarterly basis starting in October. For some Chinese manufacturers, MIP and variable liability will be applied in the future.

The new rules were approved by the European Commission as part of an interim review of lower unit price commitments. Under the decision released Saturday, the MIP will fall every quarter.

In the future, a distinction will be made between single-crystal and polycrystal cells and modules. The MIP will start to decrease in October and has been frozen during the inspection period. According to the Official Journal of the European Union, prices after October 1, 2017 will be €0.19/W for multi-silicon units, US $0.23 /W for single silicon cells, and €0.37 /W for solar modules for single Si and 0.42/W for single Si.

A gradual reduction of MIP is then planned. By the third quarter of 2018, it is expected to fall to between €0.18 (unit) and €0.35 (unit).

The authorities' concerns about prices in Taiwan were dismissed by the commission after complaints from Taiwanese manufacturers. However, keep an eye on the progress of the FTC investigation.

Meanwhile, Brussels refuses to complain, and the MIP cuts are moving slowly. The Committee does not believe that prices will be significantly lower in the first quarter of 2017 than they were on September 1, 2011, following significant price declines over the past three years.

MIP applies to all participating PV manufacturers. Since the pledge began, a number of people have been deported or have opted out of the agreement voluntarily.

For the large number of Chinese PV manufacturers that do not participate in the commitment, lower import prices and variable tax rates will be applied in the future. Anti-dumping duties outside Chinese PV producers currently range from 27.3 per cent to 64.9 per cent. Increase countervailing duty by 11.5%. The publisher said the combined responsibility to be levied in the future should not be higher than 76.4 percent.