China has proposed new export controls covering 12 solar PV manufacturing technologies
The draft distinguishes between technologies proposed for export prohibition and those subject to export restrictions
A temporary registration requirement applies to specified technology exports while the proposed changes undergo consultation
Overseas solar manufacturers could face tighter access to some Chinese manufacturing technologies under a new proposal by China to prohibit or restrict exports of 12 solar PV technologies.
The proposed measures cover technologies used across three stages of the solar PV supply chain: polysilicon production, silicon wafer manufacturing and solar cell manufacturing.
The proposed controls span polysilicon, silicon wafer and solar cell production, while a separate technology export registration requirement took effect on October 16, 2026.
China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and Ministry of Science and Technology announced the proposed changes on October 16, 2026, as part of a broader revision of the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export in China.
The proposal is now open for public consultation and covers 40 technologies across solar PV, artificial intelligence (AI), and biomedicine. Submissions can be made until November 15, 2026.
In 2023, the Chinese government sought to revise the catalog, saying it needed to strengthen management of technology imports and exports. At the time, it considered restricting exports of solar wafer technology (see China To Curb Export Of Solar PV Technology Equipment?).
Since then, it has expanded the scope, adding 12 solar PV technologies proposed to be prohibited from export. This includes manufacturing processes and core production equipment for making polysilicon, silicon wafers, perovskite solar cells, and perovskite-silicon tandem cells and modules.
It divides the technologies into categories proposed for export prohibition and those proposed for restricted exports.
China says the proposed controls on 12 solar PV technologies aim to protect national security, support the sharing of green technologies and strengthen oversight of technology exports.
Cold hydrogenation fluidized-bed technology for trichlorosilane production lines with an annual capacity of at least 250,000 metric tons (MT), and silane fluidized-bed processes for production lines of at least 20,000 tons per year, including associated equipment manufacturing technology.
Technology for manufacturing silicon wafers with a thickness of 70 µm or less, including equipment manufacturing technology.
Specified perovskite and perovskite-silicon tandem cell and module manufacturing technologies, including tandem cells with efficiencies of at least 30%, large-area single-junction perovskite modules (with at least 1 m²) with efficiencies of at least 18%, and large-area tandem modules with efficiencies of at least 28%.
Engineering technology for polysilicon production lines with an annual capacity of at least 30,000 tons, and reduction furnace processes with a capacity of at least 800 tons per furnace, including associated equipment manufacturing technology.
Selected ingot-pulling, silicon rod machining, and advanced wafer manufacturing technologies, including processes for producing wafers 130 µm or less.
Specified high-efficiency TOPCon and xBC cell manufacturing technologies, including selected deposition, atomic layer deposition (ALD), boron diffusion. and copper-plating processes, along with associated equipment.
Selected technologies for transparent conductive film deposition, silicon thin-film deposition, low-silver copper-based metallization, and copper-plated electrodes, including associated equipment. This high-efficiency technology is applicable to space applications.
Export treatment depends on whether the technology or equipment falls within the definitions and technical criteria in the draft catalog.
Although the proposed catalog changes remain under consultation, China has introduced temporary registration requirements for exports of the technologies listed in the announcement.
From October 16, 2026, companies exporting the specified technologies must register the relevant information with MOFCOM before the export takes place. The requirement also applies to technology exports that have already begun but not yet completed.
The registration provisions cover transfers of technology ownership, including intellectual property (IP) rights; licenses allowing overseas entities to use technology held in China; and changes that place ownership or effective control of the technology with an overseas entity.
Exporters must provide information about the parties involved, the destination country or region, the technology being transferred, its intended use and the estimated export value.
According to the ministry, the temporary arrangement is intended to help authorities assess technology exports while they consider the proposed catalog changes. It is separate from the final prohibition or licensing requirements that may apply once the revised catalog takes effect.
MOFCOM explained that the revision of its catalog is part of its routine regulatory process under existing laws. The revision reflects the growing use of technologies, including solar PV, in sensitive areas. It added that major economies have implemented export controls to varying degrees.
China said the measures aim to prevent the uncontrolled spread or misuse of technology while allowing normal international technological exchanges and cooperation. It also clarified that the revision is not directed at any specific country, region, or entity.
Needless to say, these measures, once adopted, will strengthen China’s position as the world's solar PV factory and are intended to extend to advanced, next-generation PV technologies.
China currently accounts for more than 80% of global polysilicon, wafer, cell, and module manufacturing capacity. In an August 2023 report, Wood Mackenzie stated that the country would continue to dominate the sector for the next three years (see Cannot Eliminate Dependence On China For Wafers & Cells).
With China now proposing tighter controls on exports of selected manufacturing technologies, it appears this period of dependence could extend well beyond the original forecast.
