Companies fear punitive action will hurt exports from China

Chinese solar companies may face a new round of investigations in the European Union regarding claims that panel manufacturers are circumventing import duties, and experts said such a move would be a heavy blow for debt-ridden photovoltaic producers.

"It will be like rubbing salt into the wound, if EU authorities decide to launch an action, although it's still at the documentation stage," said an anonymous source from a solar panel producer in China.