In a significant development, Indian solar manufacturers have withdrawn the anti-dumping petition filed with the Ministry of Trade and Commerce against solar cell and module imports from China, Taiwan and Malaysia on June 5, 2017. The petitioners will be filing the case again in the next week.

One of the petitioners told Mercom, that the anti-dumping case was withdrawn as the petitioners intend to refile the case with an extended date of investigation for the case. The earlier period of investigation was from April 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 (15 months) and the data to be analyzed for the case was for three years – April 2013 to March 2014, April 2014 to March 2015 and April 2015 to March 2016.

But now, the petitioners are expected to extend the years of investigation to include the period from April 2016 to December 2017 (21 months). The reason cited is that the dumping has been drastic post the earlier investigation period of June 30, 2017. According to the petitioners, the fall in solar module prices is estimated to be 24 percent since April 2016 to December 2017 (21 months). The petitioners want to make sure that the investigation is current so proper justice is done. The petitioners are also of the opinion that since July 2017, imports from China, Taiwan, and Malaysia have only increased.

This is exclusive information obtained by Mercom and there is a possibility of the petitioners issuing a press statement later in the day.

The Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) had filed an anti-dumping petition against solar imports from China, Taiwan, and Malaysia with the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping (DGAD), Ministry of Trade and Commerce, requesting levy of interim duty on importers on June 5, 2017.

At the moment it looks like the anti-dumping case has to start all over again, which would mean extended timelines and decision date.