China Proposes Tighter Export Controls on Advanced PV Technologies

China has proposed adding 12 photovoltaic manufacturing technologies to its export control regime as part of a broader revision of its technology export catalogue. The move comes amid growing concerns over the national security implications of PV technologies used in sensitive fields, including aerospace and national defense.

The draft measures, jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce or Mofcom and the Ministry of Science and Technology on Friday, cover 40 technologies across the solar energy, artificial intelligence and biomedicine sectors. Of these, 14 are proposed for export prohibition and a further 26 for export restriction.

A Mofcom spokesperson said the proposed additions aim to safeguard China’s national security and interests as PV technologies find growing applications in sensitive sectors, including aerospace, national defense, unmanned systems and high-security infrastructure.

The spokesperson said that the measures are narrowly targeted rather than a blanket restriction on PV technology exports. Technologies that fall under the specified control thresholds will remain freely exportable, while equipment controls will apply only where the equipment embodies technologies meeting those thresholds. Other PV equipment not explicitly listed would, in principle, fall outside the scope of the proposed measures.

Public consultation on the revisions runs until Nov. 15. However, an interim pre-export registration requirement took effect upon the announcement’s release. Pending formal implementation of the revised catalogue, exporters must register covered technology transfers and other specified transactions with Mofcom, including exports that have commenced but remain incomplete.

Scope of the Proposed Technology Controls

The proposed controls cover selected technologies across three key stages of PV manufacturing: polysilicon, solar wafers and cells. Whether a technology is prohibited or restricted depends on specified technical parameters and production-capacity thresholds.

For polysilicon production, the proposed export prohibitions target fluidized-bed reactor technologies and equipment manufacturing techniques for cold hydrogenation with an annual trichlorosilane capacity of at least 250,000 metric tons per production line, as well as silane fluidized-bed processes with an annual capacity of at least 20,000 metric tons per line. Export restrictions would apply to polysilicon engineering technologies for production lines with an annual capacity of at least 30,000 mt, and reduction-process technologies and equipment manufacturing techniques for furnaces capable of producing at least 800 mt of polysilicon per unit.

For wafer manufacturing, the proposed prohibitions cover technologies and equipment manufacturing techniques for producing wafers no thicker than 70 μm. Export restrictions would apply to monocrystalline silicon ingot pulling and machining technologies subject to specified technical parameters, as well as ultra-thin, large-format wafer manufacturing technologies, including those capable of producing rectangular wafers with a side length of at least 182 mm or wafers no thicker than 130 μm.

For solar cell production, the proposed prohibitions cover specialised edge-passivation technologies for PV cell manufacturing, subject to specified wafer dimensions and thicknesses, perovskite-silicon tandem cell technologies using wafers of at least 182 mm and achieving conversion efficiencies of 30% or higher, and large-area perovskite module technologies. These include single-junction modules with efficiencies of at least 18% and tandem modules with efficiencies of at least 28%, both with a module area of at least 1 square metre.

Export restrictions would additionally apply to Tunnel Oxide Passivating Contacts‌ or TOPCon, back contact or BC and heterojunction or HJT cell manufacturing technologies and associated equipment techniques, subject to specified wafer dimensions, thicknesses and production capacities, as well as HJT technologies involving low-silver or silver-coated copper electrodes with a silver content of 30% or less.

Industry Outlook and Licensing Implications

Market feedback gathered by Dow Jones Energy suggests that the proposed controls would not necessarily prevent all exports of restricted technologies and equipment, as licensing approval may provide a route for authorized transfers.

The China Photovoltaic Industry Association or CPIA similarly described export controls as a framework for regulating international technology cooperation rather than obstructing it. The association said applications that comply with applicable laws and do not jeopardize China’s sovereignty, security or development interests would generally be approved, helping preserve global PV supply-chain stability and resilience while maintaining Chinese manufacturers’ international reputation and scope for collaboration.

A market analyst expects the measures to have a limited direct impact on China’s exports of finished solar products, as they primarily target manufacturing technologies rather than end products. However, by restricting the transfer of proprietary know-how, particularly in high-efficiency manufacturing, the controls could reinforce China’s technological advantage as overseas markets seek to localize PV production. This may benefit vertically integrated Chinese manufacturers while complicating overseas capacity expansion, joint ventures, technology licensing and equipment shipments involving controlled technologies. Additional registration and licensing requirements could also extend project timelines and increase uncertainty, the source cautioned.

The impact on overseas projects may vary depending on the export arrangements, according to another industry source. Chinese manufacturers expanding production capacity overseas may find it easier to obtain approval for the transfer of technologies and equipment for their own projects, while equipment suppliers exporting directly to overseas-owned manufacturing facilities could face greater hurdles. Exports to markets without tariffs or other trade barriers may encounter fewer obstacles, the source added.

Frank Haugwitz, senior adviser at cleantech consultancy Apricum, identified the final scope of the controls, technical thresholds, implementation date and licensing procedures as key factors to watch. The proposal appears focused on technologies with relatively high technical barriers that enable the production of higher-efficiency solar products. Market participants will also be looking into whether authorities introduce streamlined licensing arrangements or rely on lengthy, case-by-case reviews, particularly for overseas manufacturing projects, Haugwitz said.

Implications for Chinese PV Equipment Manufacturers

Feedback gathered by Dow Jones Energy suggests that most industry participants expect the proposed export controls to have a significant impact on Chinese PV equipment manufacturers.

According to one market participant, Chinese suppliers are leading providers in the global market, particularly in emerging PV manufacturing hubs such as India and the U.S. Their competitive pricing, large-scale manufacturing capabilities and extensive project experience make their equipment an attractive option for overseas investors, helping new facilities come online more quickly and cost-effectively.

The source added that equipment procurement is a critical early-stage decision when establishing PV manufacturing facilities outside China, as it directly affects initial capital expenditure, operating efficiency and production costs. The proposed controls could therefore complicate overseas projects that depend on Chinese equipment and the associated manufacturing expertise.

Chinese equipment suppliers have already faced export-related constraints in some overseas markets, arising both from restrictions imposed by China and from import restrictions or sourcing policies adopted by destination markets.

According to an Indian manufacturer, pressure to restrict exports to India existed even before the latest proposed controls, although enforcement varied among suppliers: one Chinese company faced restrictions on exporting certain cell-manufacturing equipment, while another supplied the same equipment without difficulty. Some Chinese suppliers have reportedly established subsidiaries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Malaysia, to facilitate shipments to India.

Beyond equipment availability, access to manufacturing know-how presents a more fundamental challenge for overseas users. According to another Indian industry source, equipment procurement contracts often make final payment conditional on successful commissioning. Suppliers typically provide commissioning assistance, process optimisation and ongoing technical support, which may include achieving specified conversion-efficiency targets for solar cell production lines.

However, the source noted physical equipment may be rerouted through alternative channels, whereas process know-how—including production recipes and parameter optimisation—is much harder to substitute or acquire independently. This is particularly concerning for India, where a shortage of experienced technical personnel remains a major bottleneck for domestic cell manufacturing. As production processes become more sophisticated further upstream in the PV value chain, restricted access to technical expertise could pose a greater challenge for manufacturers seeking to move into higher-value segments.

The growing importance of overseas markets comes as China’s PV equipment industry faces headwinds. According to CPIA’s annual report, released in July, the sector’s total output value exceeded 90 billion yuan ($13.45 billion) in 2025, but shifted from 15.2% growth in 2024 to a 30.8% year-on-year decline. The downturn was attributed primarily to a slowdown in capacity expansion and persistently weak equipment orders.

Despite the slowdown, the CPIA reported continued growth in equipment exports and the share of overseas business, alongside an expanding overseas market for second-hand PV manufacturing equipment. The proposed export controls could therefore create additional uncertainty for equipment manufacturers seeking international growth, highlighting the industry’s exposure to policy changes and shifts in the global trade environment.

—Reporting by Summer Zhang, summer.zhang@dowjones.com; Brian Ng, brian.ng@dowjones.com; and Jun Won Lee, jun.lee@dowjones.com; Editing by Mei-Hwen Wong, mei-hwen.wong@dowjones.com