China Proposes Export Bans on Advanced Solar Technologies
China is moving to tighten its grip on the global renewable energy supply chain by proposing export bans and strict controls on 12 advanced photovoltaic manufacturing technologies. pv-magazine.fr reported that the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Science and Technologies published the draft rules on October 16 under joint announcement No. 48 of 2026. The proposed restrictions target the specialized machinery, recipes, and know-how used to produce next-generation solar cells rather than shipping finished solar panels abroad.
The regulatory push involves a public consultation that runs through November 15, as noted by pv-magazine.fr. While the export prohibitions and license requirements are not yet fully active, a separate provisional registration rule took effect immediately on October 16. Companies must now log planned technology exports through the commerce ministry’s online system before finalizing intellectual property transfers, foreign licensing, or foreign ownership changes.
Proposed Export Bans Target High-Efficiency Solar Architectures
The proposed export bans focus on high-efficiency solar architectures and upstream production methods. Specifically, the rules target perovskite-silicon tandem cells using wafers of at least 182 millimeters with conversion efficiencies of 30% or higher, alongside slot-die coating processes for perovskites reaching widths of 1.1 meters or more. Single-junction perovskite modules covering at least one square meter with an 18% efficiency, and tandem modules of the same size hitting 28% efficiency, also fall under the proposed ban.
Upstream manufacturing faces strict hurdles as well. The draft rules cover fluidized bed cold hydrogenation processes for trichlorosilane production with annual lines of at least 250,000 tonnes, silane fluidized bed methods scaling to 20,000 tonnes, and silicon wafer manufacturing techniques for wafers under 70 micrometers thick. kulturegeek.fr reported that fluidized bed technology produces granular polysilicon with lower energy consumption than the dominant Siemens process, making it a critical asset for manufacturers seeking lower-cost raw materials.
Export Controls on TOPCon, HJT, and XBC Production Lines
Other manufacturing technologies would remain exportable but subject to mandatory government licenses and approvals rather than an outright ban. la-pluie-et-le-beau-temps.com noted that this category includes advanced fabrication procedures for tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon), back contact (BC), and heterojunction (HJT) solar cells. These techniques cover specific deposition, passivation, diffusion, and metallization steps designed to maximize electrical yields.
The Ministry of Commerce justifies the intervention through national security concerns, pointing to the expanding deployment of advanced solar technologies in aerospace and defense applications. The regulations do not target any specific country, region, or company, and finished products built using these techniques remain exempt from the controls.
China Retains Oversight of Technology Transfers for Rivals
Countries like India, which is actively building a domestic solar manufacturing base to reduce import reliance, depend heavily on equipment and technical support originating in China. With Beijing retaining oversight of technology transfers, foreign rivals may find it harder to close the technical gap in next-generation cell production.
Frequently Asked Questions About China’s Solar Export Rules
When does the public consultation period end?
The public consultation period for the proposed export restrictions runs until November 15, 2026.
Do the proposed rules ban the export of finished solar panels?
No, the measures target manufacturing equipment, production know-how, and technology licenses rather than finished solar cells and modules.
What provisional rule went into effect immediately?
An interim registration requirement took effect on October 16, 2026, forcing companies to register planned technology transfers, intellectual property licenses, and foreign ownership shifts through the Chinese Ministry of Commerce online system.
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