India has initiated investigation on a petition by the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) to impose an anti-dumping duty on imported solar equipment.

In its petition to the Directorate of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties, the association said that solar cell and equipment imports from China, Malaysia and Taiwan are hurting the domestic industry. According to industry watchers, in May 2016, there was a difference of up to ₹65 lakh per MW between domestically sourced, produced panels and imported ones.

The price difference has risen since. ISMA had also noted that almost 81 per cent of the market share has been held by dumped imports during the period proposed for investigation.

The Directorate General of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties (DGAD) in statement said, “On finding prima facie that evidence of dumping of the subject goods originating in or exported from the subject countries (China, Malaysia and Taiwan), injury to the domestic industry and a casual link between the said dumping and injury exists to justify an initiation of anti-dumping investigation.”

The DGAD said that there is prima facie evidence that the normal value of the subject goods (solar cells and panels) in the subject countries is higher than the ex-factory export price.

This indicates that the subject goods are being dumped into the Indian market by the exporters from the subject countries. The dumping margin estimated is above de minimis levels and is significant, according to the DGAD.