More than 400 European companies covering all EU member states, have called for an end to the trade measures on Chinese solar modules and cells.

In a letter sent to the EU Commission, which includes signatures of SSE, Lightsource and Solacentury, they said the measures are negatively impacting the entire European solar value chain to the detriment of jobs, investment and solar deployment in the region.

The firms also said the measures are leading to job losses and reduced opportunity in the solar market due to increased costs.

According to the firms, those measures add €100,000 (£110,000) to the cost of installations with a capacity of 10MW and around €1,000 (£1100) to household installations.

They want the European Commission and member states need to end the measures so the industry can grow sustainably without the need for support mechanisms.

Sebastian Berry, Board Director of SolarPower Europe, said: “If Europe is serious about leading in renewables, then the solar sector must be allowed to grow again and the European Commission can support this with one easy action – removing the trade measures.”