The European Union says it is launching an anti-dumping probe into the import of solar panels from China, after an industry association claimed the equipment was entering Europe at below market value.

An EU statement on Thursday, Sept 6 said that in 2011 China exported solar panels and associated key components worth around €21 billion ($26.5 billion) to the 27-nation bloc.

The statement said the investigation is expected to last 15 months but that provisional anti-dumping duties could be imposed within nine months if clear evidence of dumping emerges.

In July, a group of 25 producers of solar gear including companies from Germany, Italy and Spain filed an anti-dumping complaint with the EU. Chinese companies warned that Beijing would retaliate, possibly triggering a trade war.