According to German media reports, the European Commission in May 8 solar panel production to China to impose punitive tariffs on green light. It is reported that the tax rate will be as high as 47%. The EU will also seek the views of Member States officially announced this decision before. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the decision will come into effect on June 6.

China is currently the world's largest producer of solar panels, the solar panels made ​​in China has exceeded the sum of the world demand. In 2012 alone, China's exports to the European total value of up to 21 billion euros of solar products. In the competition, the low prices of Chinese solar panel solar module manufacturers catch up in Germany and other European countries, many businesses (such as Solon, Centrotherm, Q-Cells) has bankruptcy, other business situation is also difficult. In July 2012, SolarWorld and other European solar companies jointly submitted to the European Commission to initiate an investigation of the application of anti-dumping on Chinese PV products, and this is by far the EU's largest litigation initiated.

Although the punitive measures of the Chinese PV companies imminent within the EU, but also a lot of calm and objective insight held different views. Political and economic spokesman of the German Christian Democratic Union / Christian Social Union (CDU / CSU) Pfeil (Pfeiffer) pointed out that a common structural problems of the German solar energy companies is the main cause the weakness of the German solar industry overall competitiveness. Impose punitive tariffs on Chinese solar products not only not conducive to the fundamental solution of the problem, and would provide mechanical equipment and raw materials to the Chinese solar energy companies in Germany have a negative impact. In addition, the punitive measures may lead to China-EU trade war, resulting in China's high tariffs on machinery and equipment from Germany and other European countries, which dealt a blow to the machinery industry in Europe. Therefore, the solution to the problem through negotiations channels to promote a wise move.