China has proposed export controls covering 12 technologies used in solar-equipment manufacturing, a move that could affect international companies seeking to develop domestic production capacity and reduce their reliance on Chinese technology. The proposal forms part of a broader review of export controls covering advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and biotechnology.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said tighter oversight was needed because some photovoltaic technologies were increasingly relevant to sensitive applications, including aerospace and national defence. The proposal would add the technologies to the country’s export-control framework, potentially restricting the transfer of expertise and manufacturing processes to overseas producers.
The proposed measures cover technologies used to manufacture certain thin wafers, perovskite and tandem solar cells, as well as large-scale fluidised-bed processes for producing polysilicon, a key input in solar panels. Advanced manufacturing technologies associated with TOPCon, heterojunction technology (HJT) and XBC solar cells would face restrictions rather than a complete prohibition, according to Reuters.
The distinction matters because control over manufacturing technology can be as commercially important as control over the finished product. Companies building solar factories overseas may need access to specialised equipment, process knowledge and technical support to achieve competitive production yields. Restrictions on transferring these capabilities could increase project complexity, lengthen development schedules and raise the cost of establishing new facilities.
The proposal also has implications for countries seeking to strengthen their domestic renewable-energy industries. India, for example, has been working to expand solar manufacturing and reduce dependence on Chinese suppliers. Reuters has previously reported Chinese restrictions affecting transfers of solar-manufacturing technology to India. Similar limitations could encourage greater investment in alternative production methods, research and local technical expertise, while making the transition more expensive in the near term.
For international manufacturers, the measures create a need to review existing technology-transfer arrangements and assess whether planned facilities depend on processes that could become subject to additional approvals. Investors financing new factories will also need to consider regulatory uncertainty when evaluating project timelines, capital expenditure, and expected returns.
China’s proposed controls are not yet equivalent to a final, fully implemented ban across all 12 technologies. The ministry said exporters must register certain overseas technology transfers until the export-control catalogue is formally updated. Public consultation on the proposal is scheduled to close on 15 November.
The development comes as governments increasingly treat strategic manufacturing capabilities as matters of economic and national security. For the solar industry, the immediate issue is whether the proposal will materially restrict technology access or prompt companies to accelerate investment in alternative supply chains.
Manufacturers, developers and policymakers will be watching the consultation process, the final scope of the controls and the requirements imposed on overseas technology transfers.
