WASHINGTON, D.C. - A World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel ruled in favor of the United States today in the U.S. challenge to India's "localization" rules discriminating against imported solar cells and modules under India's National Solar Mission. Following is a statement from Dan Whitten, vice president of communications for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) in response to this decision:

"The World Trade Organization ruling is a step in the right direction and hopefully will remove any obstacles to a constructive U.S. presence in India's solar market. The WTO dispute settlement panel's decision will clear the way for significant and rapid deployment of solar energy in India and can create jobs at home. This decision helps us bring clean energy to the people of India, as that nation's demand for electricity rapidly grows. We look forward to working with our solar industry colleagues in India to help grow the solar supply in both our markets and around the world. While we support today's decision, we continue to believe that a mutually-satisfactory resolution of this dispute, consistent with WTO rules, is the preferred solution."

About SEIA®:

Celebrating its 42nd anniversary in 2016, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to champion the use of clean, affordable solar in America by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.
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