Chinese solar power companies sued in the US

A failed US solar power panel manufacturer filed lawsuits last week for claims totaling $950 million against three Chinese competitors that it alleged were engaged in unfair trade practices.

John Madden, head of a bankruptcy trustee for failed US solar panel manufacturer Energy Conversion Devices said three Chinese companies, including Trina Solar Ltd, Yingli Green Energy Holding Co Ltd and Suntech Power Holdings Co engaged in far-ranging schemes to flood the US market with low-cost solar panels in an illegal bid to take over the US market, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

"We are still reviewing the filing but, at first glance, these are baseless claims that seem similar to the Solyndra antitrust case. In both instances, the companies are bankrupt and appear to be blaming others for their own failed thin-film technology and flawed business models," said Robert Petrina, managing director of Yingli Green Energy Americas.