solar panel tax?

[Ally]

Looks like the cheaper chinese solar panels many of us have installed so far, are possibly set to rise by 47% if the EU ruling goes through, to add 47% tax onto chinese solar panels.

If it does go through, the tax will be added from June 6th, so it might be worth considering an order this week instead of later, if you are thinking of it!

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22456231

[blodger]

It was bound to happen sooner or later and, is probably just the start of tax protectionism in an endeavour to protect 'home' industries and, prolong the euro?

[Justme]

Its already too late to buy cheap panels.

 

The duty will be applied to all imports made after I think a date in March. So companies that have stock already here or on the way will get stung retrospectively.

[Timleech]

It was bound to happen sooner or later and, is probably just the start of tax protectionism in an endeavour to protect 'home' industries and, prolong the euro?

 

I suppose if they've been subsidised until now by the Chinese govt., it's not totally unreasonable to level things up a bit? 47% does seem a lot, though.

 

Tim

[DeanS]

seems I got there just in time....

[dor]

I suspect HMRC might be showing more interest in collecting VAT on items as well. Having a son in Australia we occasionally get sent things. This month for the first time we had to pay VAT on the item, even though it was marked as a gift. Also have to pay £8 on top to the Post Office for an admin fee.

[MartinC]

Not yet quite done and dusted.

 

18 member states have voted against, 4 in favour and 5 abstained. The Commissioner can ignore this when making a decision on 5th June but only for a provisional period of 6 months, and, in the present situation, it appears that he might have a problem getting permanent ratification in December. If he goes ahead, in the face of this sort of opposition, it puts another nail in the coffin.

 

It all looks like a bit of posturing. The USA imposed a similar tariff, but only to bring China to the negotiating table which is what has now happened. China imposed an export tax on the raw materials which brought home that a tit for tat situation was not in the interests of anyone.

[smileypete]

I suppose if they've been subsidised until now by the Chinese govt., it's not totally unreasonable to level things up a bit? 47% does seem a lot, though.

 

Tim

A large part of the problem must like fairly and squarely at the feet of some European and UK politicians, including Gordon Brown, for introducing unsustainable feed in tarriffs which fed the gold rush of factory investment.

 

Also a while ago some US and European politicians and investors thought solar panel manufacture was the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and threw money at it accordingly, when in reality it's the kind of commodity manufacturing business the Chinese excel at.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

Edited May 30, 2013 by smileypete

[Machpoint005]

We'll see just how 'unsustainable' the FITs were when the oil and gas runs out rockets in price because of scarcity. The previous administration's green credentials may have been long-term (unlike the present mob of inbreeds) but they did try to go in the right direction and decrease our reliance on fossil fuels.

[smileypete]

I'm not against renewables or FITs, just the way that it's done.

 

At the previous stupidly high level of 44p/kWh it was just a nice little Gordon Brown giveaway, paid for by other electricity customers.

 

Compared to the present level of ~15p/kWh it could have paid for three times as much renewable PV energy, as well as lower bills to electricity customers, and more work for installers.

 

Now at the current FIT levels the threatened EU panel duties will just kill of the UK solar market stone dead, if it hasn't done already.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

Edited May 31, 2013 by smileypete

[Justme]

I'm not against renewables or FITs, just the way that it's done.

 

At the previous stupidly high level of 44p/kWh it was just a nice little Gordon Brown giveaway, paid for by other electricity customers.

 

Compared to the present level of ~15p/kWh it could have paid for three times as much renewable PV energy, as well as lower bills to electricity customers, and more work for installers.

 

Now at the current FIT levels the threatened EU panel duties will just kill of the UK solar market stone dead, if it hasn't done already.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

 

 

The actual rated does not matter.

 

The ratio to the install cost does.

 

Had the rate been 15p when FIT's first started then no one would have taken it up as the install cost for a 4kWp system was nearly £20k now its nearer £6k hence the lower rate.

 

Without the initial rate the install cost would not have come down so quickly.

[smileypete]

The actual rated does not matter.

 

The ratio to the install cost does.

 

Had the rate been 15p when FIT's first started then no one would have taken it up as the install cost for a 4kWp system was nearly £20k now its nearer £6k hence the lower rate.

 

Without the initial rate the install cost would not have come down so quickly.

The install cost has dropped largely due to the fall in panel prices, and for the rest of it I'd argue the install costs have dropped because of the fall in FITs.

 

The smart move would have been to wait just a few years, then introduce FITs at a more sustainable level, and get more installs and more PV energy for the same money.

 

However the fashion of the day and the lure of giveaway inspired 'green' votes was too tempting.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~