China Proposes Export Controls on 12 Solar PV Technologies

China has proposed export prohibitions or restrictions on 12 solar PV technologies covering polysilicon, silicon wafers, TOPCon, back-contact, HJT and perovskite-silicon tandem cell manufacturing. It has also introduced temporary pre-export registration requirements from October 16, 2026, until the revised catalogue is formally implemented.

October 17, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey

China has proposed prohibiting or restricting exports of 12 solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing technologies covering polysilicon, silicon wafers and solar cells. The proposed controls include technologies used in TOPCon, back-contact, heterojunction (HJT), perovskite and perovskite-silicon tandem cell manufacturing.

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and Ministry of Science and Technology issued Announcement No. 48 of 2026 on October 16, inviting public comments on revisions to the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited and Restricted from Export in China. The draft covers 40 technologies across artificial intelligence (AI), biomedicine and photovoltaics, with feedback invited until November 15, 2026.

Of the 40 technologies, 23 relate to AI, five to biomedicine and 12 to solar PV manufacturing. The proposed controls also cover key and core equipment incorporating the specified technologies.

The technologies proposed for export prohibition include processes for manufacturing polysilicon, silicon wafers with a thickness of 70 micrometres (µm) or less, and specified perovskite and perovskite-silicon tandem cells and modules. The latter category includes tandem cells with conversion efficiencies of at least 30 percent, single-junction perovskite modules measuring at least one square metre with efficiencies of at least 18 percent, and large-area tandem modules with efficiencies of at least 28 percent.

The proposed export restrictions cover engineering technologies for large-scale polysilicon production, monocrystalline silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing, and selected high-efficiency solar cell processes. These include technologies for producing wafers with a thickness of 130 µm or less, as well as specified deposition, atomic layer deposition (ALD), boron diffusion and copper-plating processes used in TOPCon and back-contact cells. Selected transparent conductive film deposition, silicon thin-film deposition and copper-based metallisation technologies used in HJT cells are also covered.

Separately, the announcement introduces temporary registration requirements for exports of the specified technologies, effective October 16, 2026, until the revised catalogue is formally implemented. Exporters must register relevant transactions with MOFCOM before proceeding, including exports that have started but remain incomplete.

Registration applies to transfers of technology ownership to overseas entities, including intellectual property rights; licences allowing overseas entities to use technology held in China; and changes that place ownership or actual control of domestic technology with a foreign entity. Exporters must provide details of the parties, destination, technology, intended use and estimated export value through MOFCOM’s Technology Trade Management Information Application Platform.

The temporary registration requirement is separate from the proposed prohibitions and restrictions, which remain subject to consultation. MOFCOM said feedback could cover the technologies’ scope, technical thresholds, control policies and facilitation measures.

If adopted, the controls could complicate access to selected Chinese manufacturing processes and equipment technologies for overseas solar manufacturers, particularly those developing high-efficiency and next-generation cells. For India and other markets seeking to expand domestic PV manufacturing, the proposal could influence technology-transfer arrangements and manufacturing expansion plans.

However, the draft does not constitute a blanket ban on solar module exports or all Chinese solar manufacturing equipment. Its impact will depend on the final catalogue, the technical criteria and the restrictions or licensing requirements ultimately introduced.

Tags:

Policies & Regulations

China to restrict solar tech transfer

Tandem solar tech

Polysilicon production

Solar wafer production technologies

Perovskite solar tech

Export ban on solar tech from China

Ministry of Commerce, China