Tougher EU penalties for solar makers

Complaint alleges PV firms circumvent pact by using products from other locations

Producers of solar panels from the Chinese mainland may face serious penalties or tougher regulations in Europe, where local competitors have accused them of using products made in other Asian locations to avoid import duties, industry insiders said on Tuesday.

The complaint, which has been filed with the European Union, is likely to trigger a wider trade dispute and affect the profits of Chinese solar producers, experts said.