Stories
China Proposes Export Controls on Solar Manufacturing Technologies
- •China has proposed adding 12 solar-manufacturing technologies to its export-control list, citing national security concerns and sensitive applications in aerospace and national defense.
- •The proposed restrictions could impact global solar expansion plans, including US projects by firms like Tesla and efforts by India to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains.
- •The banned technologies would include equipment for making thin wafers, perovskite, tandem solar cells, and large-scale fluidized-bed polysilicon production.
- •Exports of advanced solar cell technologies such as TOPCon, HJT, and XBC would be restricted but not completely prohibited under the new rules.
- •Exporters must register certain overseas technology transfers while public consultation on the proposal remains open until November 15.
Key Questions Answered
China has proposed export controls on 12 photovoltaic technologies, which include methods for producing certain thin wafers, perovskite and tandem solar cells, and large-scale fluidized-bed polysilicon. Additionally, exports of advanced technologies like TOPCon, HJT, and XBC would be restricted rather than completely prohibited.
The public consultation and collection of opinions regarding China's proposed revision to its export-control catalogue will remain open until November 15. Meanwhile, interim pre-export registration management is being implemented for the affected technologies.
China's commerce ministry stated that greater oversight and export controls are necessary to guard against technologies running out of control or being improperly disseminated. Officials noted that these solar technologies are increasingly utilized in sensitive areas like aerospace and national defense, while the measures also aim to preserve China's industrial dominance.
