Chinese Solar Panels

The cry of 'dumping prices' and 'Beijing subsidies' is a standard cry of companies who haven't done their homework to understand that at $200 us per month, a Chinese workers wages means that most Chinese companies are easily able to price their products well under Western companies.
That being said, Chinese companies are miles behind in regards to service, tech support and often quality; however, on the point of quality, not all Chinese companies produce sh*t. Many of the largest companies in the renewable sector are now Chinese, and you cant sell sh*t to large western companies and governments!
All that being said, buying and importing a Solar panel from a Chinese company means you are NOT going to be dealing with the manufacturer. They dont touch end users who only want 1 or 2 units. You will be dealing with a dealer, who has bought that from a dealer, who has bought that from a wholesaler,......
A dealer in China is unlikely to give you anything like the level of support and service you will need. He will just try and get the sale, and you will then likely be on your own!

The point about return on your investment is very important. How much energy do you use, and will use in the next 10 years? What does that electricity cost today, and what will it cost in 3, 5 and 10 years?
What is the quoted price of the panel? Is that price just to get the product on the ship, or is that to your country of residence or even to your home address? You need to 100% understand exactly what taxes and duties YOU are responsible for.
NEVER listen to the dealers assurances that you only need to do this and that. As soon as he has your money, he will not give a rat's arse what happens!

I am quite pro renewables, as I think it MUST be the way we go in the future. But, at the moment I do not think solar is efficient enough in terms of energy generated, and the cost of a solar panel is much too high based on that low efficiency and electrical units generated.

You could buy a solar panel today and still be paying for it in 10+ years, but in 3 years the efficiency of new panels will be 50% higher, and cost 50% less, but you are stuck with your old fashioned and inefficient version for another 10 years!
But, if electricity prices keep climbing at their current rate, generating your own power by any means possible will become more and more necessary for all householders.

 

I have read that unless the electronics are used that costume will still try to tax even in a balikbayan. If I can ship them from the US and not be taxed that is a good plan. I just cannot get a good read on the exact rules on the balikbayan.

 

China-ASEAN Free Trade Area

ASEAN

 

All balikbayan shipments are classified as "household goods". There is no breakdown form ANY balikbayan company what each shipment contains, and there is no way to inspect every balikbayan box!

 

I was looking at this same thing last week when I got shocked again on my electric bill. 3 times higher than in 2005. nearly the same kilow. used only 20 or 30 more, few higher.
I seen on ebay usa made in the US, many styles to chose from. One dealer that has a lot of adds says, will ship internationally and declare as a model or something like that, valued at 100 usd ,for less vat taxes reason. Was new models though.

The ASEAN, China and the phils signed an agreement on feb. in the last days of the former presidents term, a partial free trade agreement is what I remember, also Australia, was signed I think in Bangkok. Still they are not part of the ASEAN group but did agree to the trade agreement. You can search it for yourselves. I seem to recall something about the electronics from China to the phills .

 

I liked all the points you brought up, particularly the return on investment above. Given some thought to ROI, I seriously doubt there are many options for making money on investments in this low-cost low-income area and with many foreigners coming in living on pensions. A ten year ROI is not a good investment, given the value of cash. Bottom line, perhaps breaking even on an investment, even real estate, may be a blessing.

 

Q-cells the largest German producer of solar panels files for bankruptcie due to reduced government subsidies worldwide.
Others will follow.