China proposes solar technology export curbs amid broader security controls

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China solar technology export curbs

Highlights

China's commerce ministry proposes adding photovoltaic technologies, including advanced thin wafers and perovskite cells, to its export-control list amid broader security revisions.
The proposed controls restrict, but do not fully prohibit, exports of TOPCon, HJT, and XBC solar cell manufacturing technologies while requiring exporters to register certain overseas transfers.
Analysts say the move aims to preserve China's dominance in solar manufacturing as countries like India and the U.S. seek to build independent supply chains and expand local production.

Proposed controls target advanced solar processes

As reported by Reuters, citing the Chinese commerce ministry, the proposal adds photovoltaic technologies to China's export-control list as part of a broader revision that also covers artificial intelligence and biotechnology. The ministry says tighter oversight is needed because solar technologies are increasingly used in sensitive fields such as aerospace and national defense.

The proposed ban covers technologies used to make some thin wafers, perovskite and tandem solar cells, as well as large-scale fluidized-bed polysilicon production technologies. China would also restrict, but not fully prohibit, exports of advanced solar cell manufacturing technologies including TOPCon, HJT and XBC.

The ministry says export restrictions are intended to guard against risks that technologies run out of control or are improperly disseminated, while preserving normal international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation. Exporters must register certain overseas technology transfers until the export-control catalogue is formally updated.

Potential impact on global solar manufacturing

Perovskite is an emerging solar technology that offers the potential for higher conversion efficiency, while tandem cells combine perovskite and silicon layers to capture more of the sunlight spectrum. Fluidized-bed technology for producing polysilicon, a core solar panel material, is less costly and more energy-efficient than the dominant Siemens process.

The move follows initial talks Chinese officials held with manufacturers about possible curbs on advanced solar-panel manufacturing technologies, which Reuters reported in April. Those measures could complicate expansion plans by U.S. companies such as Tesla and add pressure to countries trying to build domestic solar supply chains outside China.

Beijing has also curbed exports of solar-manufacturing technology to India. Analysts say China is seeking to preserve its dominance in the sector as India works to reduce reliance on Chinese supply and expand local manufacturing.

India’s clean energy investment growth was a focus of our earlier coverage, highlighting a 15% rise to $72 billion and a move to fifth place in global energy transition investment rankings, ahead of France. We noted that the increase points to strengthening capital formation across power, transport, and industrial fuels, and signals growing momentum behind India’s renewable buildout.

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