1. In keeping with the World Trade Organization agreement on subsidies and countervailing measures, Commerce is instructing CBP to discontinue the suspension of liquidation of entries concerning the countervailing duty investigation of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, from the People's Republic of China effective 07/24/2012, which is 120 days after the date of publication of Commerce's preliminary determination.

2. The merchandise covered by this investigation is crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, and modules, laminates, and panels, consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not partially or fully assembled into other products, including, but not limited to, modules, laminates, panels and building integrated materials.

This investigation covers crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells of thickness equal to or greater than 20 micrometers, having a p/n junction formed by any means, whether or not the cell has undergone other processing, including, but not limited to, cleaning, etching, coating, and/or addition of materials (including, but not limited to, metallization and conductor patterns) to collect and forward the electricity that is generated by the cell.

Merchandise under consideration may be described at the time of importation as parts for final finished products that are assembled after importation, including, but not limited to, modules, laminates, panels, building-integrated modules, building-integrated panels, or other finished goods kits. Such parts that otherwise meet the definition of merchandise under consideration are included in the scope of this investigation.

Excluded from the scope of this investigation are thin film photovoltaic products produced from amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS).

Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, not exceeding 10,000mm2 in surface area, that are permanently integrated into a consumer good whose function is other than power generation and that consumes the electricity generated by the integrated crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell. Where more than one cell is permanently integrated into a consumer good, the surface area for purposes of this exclusion shall be the total combined surface area of all cells that are integrated into the consumer good.

Modules, laminates, and panels produced in a third-country from cells produced in the PRC are covered by this investigation; however, modules, laminates, and panels produced in the PRC from cells produced in a third-country are not covered by this investigation.

Merchandise covered by this investigation is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff System of the United States (“HTSUS”) under subheadings 8501.61.0000, 8507.20.80, 8541.40.6020, 8541.40.6030, and 8501.31.8000. These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive.

3. This investigation has been assigned investigation number C-570-980.

4. CBP shall discontinue the suspension of liquidation for countervailing duty purposes on all shipments of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after 07/24/2012. The suspension of liquidation will not be resumed unless and until the final determination on this case is published in the Federal Register by the ITC. CBP shall continue to suspend liquidation on all shipments entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption made during the period 12/27/2011 through 07/23/2012 until the conclusion of the countervailing duty investigation.

5. These discontinuation instructions do not affect the requirements of a cash deposit or bond on entries subject to the suspension of liquidation announced in Commerce's preliminary determination in the companion antidumping duty investigation of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, from the People's Republic of China.

6. If there are any questions by the importing public regarding this message, please contact the Call Center for the Office of AD/CVD Operations, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce at (202) 482-0984. CBP ports should submit their inquiries through authorized CBP channels only. (This message was generated by O6: JJZ.)

7. There are no restrictions on the release of this information.

Michael B. Walsh