China Proposes Export Controls on 12 Solar Manufacturing Technologies
China Proposes Export Controls on 12 Solar Manufacturing Technologies.
China solar manufacturing export controls are at the centre of a new proposal that could affect the global renewable energy industry, as Beijing moves to tighten oversight of 12 technologies used to manufacture solar equipment.
China announced the proposed measures through its Ministry of Commerce as part of a wider review of export rules covering artificial intelligence, biotechnology and solar energy. The government says the move is intended to protect national security and prevent sensitive technologies from being transferred overseas without appropriate controls.
The proposal, announced on October 16, 2026, has attracted attention because China plays a major role in the global solar manufacturing supply chain. If approved, the measures could influence how overseas companies obtain advanced production technology and establish their own solar manufacturing operations.
The proposed restrictions cover technologies used in polysilicon production, silicon wafer manufacturing and advanced solar cell production. The consultation period is scheduled to close on November 15, 2026.
China Targets Advanced Solar Manufacturing Technologies. The proposed China solar manufacturing export controls cover 12 technologies used across different stages of solar panel production.
Some technologies would face proposed export bans, while others would be subject to restrictions and government approval requirements. This distinction matters because the proposal does not treat every solar manufacturing technology in the same way.
Among the technologies targeted for proposed bans are processes used to manufacture certain thin silicon wafers, perovskite solar cells, tandem solar cells and large-scale fluidized-bed polysilicon production.
Polysilicon is a key raw material used to manufacture conventional silicon-based solar panels. Silicon wafers are then processed into solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity.
By targeting selected production methods, China would be regulating the transfer of manufacturing knowledge rather than simply placing a blanket ban on solar equipment exports.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said the measures are intended to address risks associated with technologies used in sensitive areas, including aerospace, national defence and other security-related applications. The ministry also said the proposed controls are limited in scope and are intended to preserve normal international scientific and technological cooperation.
The proposal also covers advanced solar cell manufacturing technologies, including TOPCon, heterojunction technology, known as HJT, and back-contact technologies, including XBC.
These technologies are used to improve solar cell performance and can help manufacturers produce more electricity from a given surface area under suitable conditions.
TOPCon uses a specialised passivating contact structure to reduce energy losses within a solar cell. HJT combines crystalline silicon with thin layers of other semiconductor materials, while back-contact designs move electrical contacts to the rear of the cell to improve light absorption.
Under the proposed rules, exports of specified manufacturing technologies in these categories would be restricted rather than completely prohibited. Companies seeking to transfer covered technologies overseas could therefore face additional licensing and approval requirements.
The exact treatment would depend on the technology involved and whether it meets the technical thresholds specified in the proposed catalogue.
The distinction is important for international manufacturers seeking to build new factories or upgrade existing production lines. Access to advanced manufacturing knowledge can affect production efficiency, product performance and the time required to bring a facility into operation.
Another important part of the proposal concerns perovskite and tandem solar technologies.
Perovskite solar cells use materials with a particular crystal structure that can absorb sunlight efficiently. Researchers and manufacturers are exploring these materials because they could support the development of lighter, potentially lower-cost solar devices.
Tandem solar cells combine different light-absorbing materials, allowing them to capture a broader portion of the solar spectrum than a single-junction cell.
For example, perovskite-silicon tandem cells combine a perovskite layer with a conventional silicon cell. This approach offers the potential to improve conversion efficiency beyond what either layer could achieve alone.
China’s proposed controls cover selected manufacturing processes for these technologies, including specified high-efficiency tandem cells and large-area modules.
However, the proposal should not be interpreted as a ban on every perovskite product or all solar panels manufactured with advanced technology. The measures apply to defined technologies and technical criteria.
China’s decision could have implications for countries seeking to expand their domestic solar manufacturing industries.
The proposed controls could affect plans by US companies, including Tesla, to increase solar production in the United States. Companies developing manufacturing capacity outside China may need to examine whether their planned technology transfers fall within the proposed rules.
India is another important market. The country has been working to strengthen its domestic solar manufacturing industry and reduce dependence on Chinese technology and supply chains. Reuters has previously reported that China has also curbed exports of solar manufacturing technology to India.
If access to certain production methods becomes more restricted, overseas manufacturers could face additional costs, licensing delays or the need to develop alternative manufacturing processes.
The actual impact will depend on the final rules, the technologies covered and how companies adjust their supply chains.
Although the proposed export bans and restrictions have not yet fully taken effect, China has introduced an interim registration requirement for specified technology transfers.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, exporters must register covered transfers before proceeding while the authorities review the proposed changes to the technology export catalogue.
The requirement can cover the transfer of technology ownership to overseas entities, licensing technology for use abroad and certain changes in ownership or control involving foreign parties.
This means affected businesses may need to review planned overseas transactions even before the final catalogue is adopted.
China’s government has also stressed that technologies outside the specified control thresholds can generally continue to be exported freely. The proposed measures are not intended to cover every solar manufacturing product or piece of equipment.
The next important date is November 15, 2026, when the public consultation period is scheduled to close.
The authorities will have an opportunity to consider feedback before finalising the revised export-control catalogue. Until the final rules are issued, the full impact of the proposal remains uncertain.
For the global renewable energy industry, the development highlights the importance of manufacturing technology, not just access to raw materials and finished solar panels.
Countries investing in solar energy will be watching closely to see whether the proposed controls change the cost, timing or availability of advanced manufacturing technology.
For businesses, investors and policymakers, the central question is how the final rules will balance China’s stated national security concerns with the international cooperation needed to expand clean energy production.
