A new mooted global PV industry association could help to dissolve increasing trade friction, the president of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) has said.

In an interview with PV Tech to set the record straight on the rumoured organisation, Schäfer said a body with involvement from China, US and Japan could create a powerful global voice for the sector.

“If you look at all the big associations, including EPIA, they all take a position [on trade disputes]. Some members don’t like it, that is very clear, but most big associations, including the Chinese and the Americans, have taken a position that says ‘we don’t want trade conflicts, we’re a global business and we don’t want any national restrictions’,” said Schäfer.

“All the major associations have taken that position. This is why we need a global voice,” he added.

The leaked document did not include any mention of involvement with PV associations from the US or China but Schäfer was adamant that their involvement was a prerequisite if the new body was to have any legitimacy.

“…If you want to represent the global industry you need to represent a certain market size and a certain production capacity, to do that you need the US, China, Japan and Europe fully behind it. I don’t think it makes sense to do to without them,” said Schäfer.