ART Solar, a South African solar panel module manufacturer, filed a petition with the South African International Trade Commission (ITAC) at the end of March demanding protective tariffs on imported solar panel components.

ART Solar submitted the petition mainly for the following four reasons:

1. At present, there are no protective measures for solar panel component manufacturers in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

2. Since China's photovoltaic industry exceeded demand in the first quarter of 2016, many foreign companies have sought investment opportunities to build factories overseas. Tariffs are helpful to protect local component manufacturing capacity and employment opportunities, as well as to bring about significant growth in local industries.

3. Due to the high competition from low-cost imported components, many solar panel module factories in SACU have been shut down.

4. Unlike the United States and Europe, South Africa does not have anti-dumping duties to protect local manufacturers.

Source: Xinneng Intelligence Agency