China Solar Tech Export Curbs Put Supply Chains in Focus

Consultation on China’s Export Curbs for 12 Advanced Solar Manufacturing Technologies Runs to Nov. 15

LAHORE, Pakistan — November 3, 2026 — China’s proposed controls on the export of 12 solar manufacturing technologies remain open for public comment until November 15. The proposal is a significant policy variable for the Advanced Solar Technologies Market. It targets production know-how rather than finished panels, which would continue to be exported.

China’s Ministry of Commerce published the proposal in October as part of a wider revision of its technology export list, which also covers artificial intelligence and biotechnology. Technologies used to make perovskite and tandem solar cells, certain thin wafers and large-scale fluidised-bed polysilicon would be prohibited from export. Mainstream cell technologies, including TOPCon, heterojunction (HJT) and XBC, would face restrictions rather than outright bans.

The ministry cited the growing use of advanced solar technologies in sensitive sectors, including aerospace and defence, as its main reason for stricter oversight. Until the list is formally updated, exporters must register certain overseas technology transfers.

The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis says China holds more than 80% of global solar manufacturing capacity at every production stage. Customs data cited by Reuters show China’s solar equipment exports fell 6.4% year-on-year in September and 9.5% year-to-date, after an export tax rebate was removed on April 1.

Key Highlights:

• The proposal separates manufacturing know-how from finished solar products, which are not covered.

• Perovskite and tandem cell production technologies face prohibition, while TOPCon, HJT and XBC face licensing-style restrictions.

• An interim registration requirement for certain overseas technology transfers applies until the catalogue is formally updated.

• Solar cells and wafers overtook finished panels in China’s export mix in October 2025, as more countries built domestic module assembly.

Analyst Insight:

According to analysts at Next Move Strategy Consulting, the proposal shifts the competitive focus in advanced solar from finished-product supply to access to process technology. Manufacturers planning new cell or wafer capacity outside China may need to build technology licensing and partnership timelines into their investment plans.

NMSC analysts note that perovskite and tandem technologies are still scaling toward commercial manufacturing. The near-term effect on module availability is therefore likely to be limited, while the longer-term effect falls on the pace of localised manufacturing.

Industry Outlook:

Researcher Muhammad Zaid Masood Khan said deployment in import-reliant markets such as Pakistan should remain largely unaffected, because finished panels are excluded. Tim Buckley, director of Climate Energy Finance, said the immediate commercial impact is likely to be limited, citing oversupplied module manufacturing and perovskite’s early stage of commercialisation. Countries pursuing domestic cell and wafer production may face licensing requirements.

The final scope will be known only after the consultation closes on November 15 and the ministry issues its revised catalogue. The outcome will help determine how technology licensing interacts with international solar trade and localised manufacturing plans.

Source: The Nation

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Prepared By: Sanyukta Deb