[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 77 (Friday, April 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21691-21693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08525]



[[Page 21691]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-570-980]


Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled 
Into Modules, From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results 
of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review and Intent To Rescind, in 
Part; 2018

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines 
that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and 
exporters of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not 
assembled into modules, (solar cells) from the People's Republic of 
China (China). Interested parties are invited to comment on these 
preliminary results.

DATES: Applicable April 23, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Copyak or Lingjun Wang, AD/CVD 
Operations, Office VII, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3642 or (202) 482-2316.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 6, 2020, Commerce initiated an administrative review of 
the countervailing duty order on solar cells from China.\1\ The period 
of review (POR) is January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018. This 
review covers 58 companies, of which Jiawei Solarchina Co. Ltd. 
(Solarchina) and Wuxi Tianran Photovoltaic Co., Ltd. (Tianran) are the 
mandatory respondents. Solarchina was unresponsive to Commerce's 
initial questionnaire. Further, Tianran reported that its subject 
merchandise exported during the POR was produced by unaffiliated 
producers Anji DaSol Solar Energy Science & Technology Co., Ltd. 
(DaSol) and Wuxi Taichang Electronics Co., Ltd. (Taichang). One of 
Taichang's cross-owned companies did not provide a full response to the 
initial questionnaire.
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    \1\ See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Reviews, 85 FR 6896 (February 6, 2020) (Initiation 
Notice).
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    On April 24, 2020, Commerce tolled all deadlines in administrative 
reviews by 50 days.\2\ Subsequently, on July 21, 2020, Commerce tolled 
certain deadlines in administrative reviews by an additional 60 
days.\3\ On December 2, 2020, Commerce extended the deadline for these 
preliminary results until no later than April 19, 2021.\4\
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    \2\ See Memorandum, ``Tolling of Deadlines for Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews in Response to 
Operational Adjustments Due to COVID-19,'' dated April 24, 2020.
    \3\ See Memorandum, ``Tolling of Deadlines for Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews,'' dated July 21, 2020.
    \4\ See Memorandum, ``Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, 
Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, from the People's Republic of 
China: Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2018: Extension of 
Deadline for Preliminary Results,'' dated December 2, 2020.
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    For a complete description of the events that followed the 
initiation of this review, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.\5\ 
A list of topics discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is 
included as the appendix to this notice. The Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via 
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Centralized Electronic System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to 
registered users at http://access.trade.gov. In addition, a complete 
version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly 
at http://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/.
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    \5\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary 
Results of the Administrative Review of the Countervailing Duty 
Order on Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not 
Assembled Into Modules, from the People's Republic of China; 2018,'' 
dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice 
(Preliminary Decision Memorandum).
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Scope of the Order

    The products covered by the countervailing duty order are 
crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, and modules, laminates, and 
panels, consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether 
or not partially or fully assembled into other products, including, but 
not limited to, modules, laminates, panels, and building integrated 
materials. For a complete description of the scope of this order, see 
the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.

Intend To Rescind Review, in Part

    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3), we intend to rescind this review 
on the basis of no shipments with respect to: (1) Chint Solar 
(Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. (Chint); \6\ (2) Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd., and 
its cross-owned companies (collectively, Trina); \7\ and (3) eight 
companies listed in the no shipment letter filed by Yingli Green Energy 
Holding Company Limited.\8\
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    \6\ See Chint's Letter, ``Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic 
Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules from the People's 
Republic of China--Chint Zhejiang No Shipment Letter,'' dated March 
9, 2020.
    \7\ See Trina's Letter, ``Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic 
Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules from the People's 
Republic of China--Notice of No Sales,'' dated March 9, 2020. 
Trina's cross-owned companies are: Changzhou Trina Solar Yabang 
Energy Co., Ltd., Trina Solar (Changzhou) Science and Technology 
Co., Ltd., Turpan Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd., Hubei Trina Solar 
Energy Co., Ltd., and Yancheng Trina Solar Energy Technology Co., 
Ltd.
    \8\ See Yingli's Letter, ``Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic 
Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules from the People's 
Republic of China--Yingli's No Shipment Certification,'' dated March 
9, 2020. The companies for which we intend to rescind this 
administrative review are: Baoding Tianwei Yingli New Energy 
Resources Co., Ltd., Tianjin Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd., 
Hengshui Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd., Lixian Yingli New 
Energy Resources Co., Ltd., Baoding Jiasheng Photovoltaic Technology 
Co., Ltd., Hainan Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd., Yingli 
Green Energy International Trading Company Limited, and Shenzhen 
Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd.
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    In addition, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3), we intend to 
rescind this review on the basis of no reviewable suspended entries of 
subject merchandise, according to the U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP data), with respect to an additional 25 companies. See 
Preliminary Decision Memorandum for a full discussion, and Appendix III 
for a complete list of the companies for which we intend to rescind 
this administrative review.

Methodology

    Commerce is conducting this administrative review in accordance 
with section 751(a)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the 
Act). For each of the subsidy programs found countervailable, Commerce 
preliminarily finds that there is a subsidy, i.e., a financial 
contribution from an authority that gives rise to a benefit to the 
recipient, and that the subsidy is specific.\9\ For a full description 
of the methodology underlying our preliminary conclusions, including 
our reliance, in part, on adverse facts available, with the application 
of adverse inferences, pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act, 
see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
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    \9\ See sections 771(5)(B) and (D) of the Act regarding 
financial contribution; section 771(5)(E) of the Act regarding 
benefit; and section 771(5A) of the Act regarding specificity.
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Preliminary Rate for Non-Selected Companies Under Review

    There are 16 companies for which a review was requested, had 
reviewable

[[Page 21692]]

entries and which were not selected as mandatory respondents or found 
to be cross-owned with a mandatory respondent. See Appendix II. Because 
the rate calculated for the mandatory respondent, Tianran, was above de 
minimis and not based entirely on facts available, we applied the 
subsidy rate calculated for Tianran to these non-selected companies. 
This methodology for establishing the subsidy rate for the non-selected 
companies is consistent with our practice and with section 705(c)(5)(A) 
of the Act.

Preliminary Results of Review

    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4)(i), we calculated a 
countervailable subsidy rate for the mandatory respondent Tianran. 
Further, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.525(c), we cumulated the benefits from 
subsidies received by Tianran and DaSol.\10\ We determined the 
countervailable subsidy rate for Solarchina based entirely on adverse 
facts available, in accordance with section 776 of the Act. We also 
assigned an individual estimated subsidy rate based on adverse facts 
available to Tianran's other unaffiliated supplier Taichang, in 
accordance with section 776 of the Act. Therefore, the only rate that 
is not zero, de minimis, or based entirely on facts otherwise available 
is the rate calculated for Tianran. Consequently, as discussed above, 
the rate calculated for Tianran is also assigned as the rate for all 
other producers and exporters subject to this review but not selected 
for individual examination (i.e., non-selected companies).
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    \10\ For a more detailed discussion see the Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum.
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    Commerce preliminarily determines the net countervailable subsidy 
rates for the period January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, are as 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Subsidy rate
                         Company                             (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jiawei Solarchina Co. Ltd...............................          541.94
Wuxi Tianran Photovoltaic Co., Ltd......................      35.63 \11\
Wuxi Taichang Electronics Co., Ltd. \12\................          541.94
Non-Selected Companies Under Review \13\................           35.63
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Disclosure and Public Comment
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    \11\ This rate applies to subject merchandise exported by 
Tianran and produced by companies other than Taichang.
    \12\ Commerce preliminarily finds the following companies to be 
cross-owned with Taichang: China Machinery Engineering Wuxi Co., Ltd 
(CMEW), and China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC).
    \13\ See Appendix II of this notice for a list of all companies 
that remain under review but were not selected for individual 
examination, and to whom Commerce has preliminarily assigned the 
non-selected company rate.
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    We will disclose to parties to this proceeding the calculations 
performed in reaching the preliminary results within five days of 
publication of these preliminary results.\14\ Interested parties may 
submit written comments (case briefs) on the preliminarily results no 
later than 30 days from the date of publication of this notice, and 
rebuttal comments (rebuttal briefs) within seven days after the time 
limit for filing case briefs.\15\ Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(d)(2), 
rebuttal briefs must be limited to issues raised in the case briefs. 
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), parties who submit case or 
rebuttal briefs are requested to submit with the argument: (1) A 
statement of the issue; (2) a brief summary of the argument; and (3) a 
table of authorities.\16\
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    \14\ See 19 CFR 351.224(b).
    \15\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(l)(ii) and 351.309(d)(l).
    \16\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2).
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    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to 
request a hearing must submit a written request to the Assistant 
Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance within 30 days of the 
publication date of this notice. Hearing requests should contain: (1) 
The party's name, address, and telephone number; (2) the number of 
participants; and (3) a list of the issues to be discussed. If a 
request for a hearing is made, Commerce intends to hold the hearing at 
a time and date to be determined. Parties should confirm the date and 
time of the hearing two days before the schedule date.
    Parties are reminded that briefs and hearing requests are to be 
filed electronically and received successfully in their entirety 
through ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Note that 
Commerce has temporarily modified certain of its requirements for 
serving documents containing business proprietary information, until 
further notice.\17\
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    \17\ See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements 
Due to COVID-19; Extension of Effective Period, 85 FR 41363 (July 
10, 2020).
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    Unless the deadline is extended pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A) of 
the Act, Commerce intends to issue the final results of this 
administrative review, including the results of its analysis of the 
issues raised by the parties in their comments, within 120 days after 
publication of these preliminary results.

Assessment Rates

    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4)(i), we preliminarily 
assigned subsidy rates in the amounts shown above for the producer/
exporters shown above. Upon completion of the administrative review, 
consistent with section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.212(b)(2), Commerce shall determine, and CBP shall assess, 
countervailing duties on all appropriate entries covered by this 
review. We intend to issue the assessment instructions to CBP 35 days 
after publication of the final results of this review.

Cash Deposit Requirement

    In accordance with section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act, Commerce 
intends, upon publication of the final results, to instruct CBP to 
collect cash deposit of estimated countervailing duties in the amounts 
shown for each of the respective companies listed above on shipments of 
subject merchandise entered, or withdrawal from warehouse, for 
consumption on or after the publication date of the final results of 
this review. For all non-reviewed firms, we will instruct CBP to 
continue to collect cash deposits at the most-recent company-specific 
or all-others rate applicable to the company, as appropriate. These 
cash deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until 
further notice.

Notification to Interested Parties

    These preliminary results are issued and published pursuant to 
sections 751(a)(l) and 777(i)(l) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.213 and 
351.221(b)(4).


[[Page 21693]]


    Dated: April 19, 2021.
Christian Marsh,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix I--List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum

I. Summary
II. Background
III. Intent to Rescind Review, In Part
IV. Non-Selected Companies Under Review
V. Scope of the Order
VI. Diversification of China's Economy
VII. Subsidies Valuation
VIII. Interest Rate Benchmarks, Discount Rates, Inputs, Electricity, 
and Land Benchmarks
IX. Use of Facts Otherwise Available and Application of Adverse 
Inferences
X. Analysis of Programs
XI. Disclosure and Public Comment
XII. Recommendation

Appendix II--Non-Selected Companies Under Review

1. Anji DaSol Solar Energy Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
2. Canadian Solar International Limited
3. JA Solar Technology Yangzhou Co., Ltd.
4. Jiawei Solarchina (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
5. JingAo Solar Co., Ltd.
6. Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.
7. Jinko Solar Import and Export Co., Ltd.
8. Ningbo Qixin Solar Electrical Appliance Co., Ltd.
9. Risen Energy Co., Ltd.
10. Shanghai BYD Co., Ltd.
11. Shanghai JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd.
12. Shenzhen Sungold Solar Co., Ltd.
13. Shenzhen Topray Solar Co., Ltd.
14. Taizhou BD Trade Co., Ltd.
15. Wuxi Suntech Power Co., Ltd. Luoyang Suntech Power Co., Ltd.
16. Yingli Energy (China) Co., Ltd.

Appendix III--Intent To Rescind Review, In Part

1. Baoding Jiasheng Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd.
2. Baoding Tianwei Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd.
3. BYD (Shangluo) Industrial Co., Ltd.
4. Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Changshu) Inc.
5. Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc.
6. Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd.
7. Changzhou Trina Solar Yabang Energy Co., Ltd.
8. Chint Solar (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd.
9. De-Tech Trading Limited HK
10. Dongguan Sunworth Solar Energy Co., Ltd.
11. Eoplly New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
12. ERA Solar Co., Ltd.
13. ET Solar Energy Limited
14. Hainan Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd.
15. Hangzhou Sunny Energy Science and Technology Co., Ltd.
16. Hengdian Group DMEGC Magnetics Co., Ltd.
17. Hengshui Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd.
18. Hubei Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd.
19. Jiangsu High Hope Int'l Group
20. Jinko Solar International Limited
21. LERRI Solar Technology Co., Ltd.
22. Light Way Green New Energy Co., Ltd.
23. Lixian Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd.
24. Luoyang Suntech Power Co., Ltd.
25. Ningbo ETDZ Holdings, Ltd.
26. Shenzhen Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd.
27. Sumec Hardware & Tools Co., Ltd.
28. Sunpreme Solar Technology (Jiaxing) Co., Ltd.
29. Systemes Versilis, Inc.
30. tenKsolar (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
31. Tianjin Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd.
32. Tianneng Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd.
33. Toenergy Technology Hangzhou Co., Ltd.
34. Trina Solar (Changzhou) Science and Technology Co., Ltd.
35. Turpan Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd.
36. Yancheng Trina Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
37. Yingli Green Energy International Trading Company Limited
38. Zhejiang ERA Solar Technology Co., Ltd.
39. Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.
40. Zhejiang Sunflower Light Energy Science & Technology Limited 
Liability Company
[FR Doc. 2021-08525 Filed 4-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P