China Proposes Export Bans on Perovskite and Tandem Solar Manufacturing Tech

China’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology have proposed export bans on high-efficiency solar manufacturing technologies. The proposals, identified as Joint Announcement No. 48, were published on October 16, 2026. This move targets specific advanced technologies within the solar sector, marking a notable shift in trade policy for the industry.

According to pv magazine, the public consultation period for these draft regulations ends on November 15. During this window, stakeholders can submit feedback before the rules are finalized. The proposals focus on controlling the transfer of high-efficiency manufacturing capabilities, which are central to current solar technology development.

The timing of the announcement, just weeks before the consultation deadline, suggests an expedited review process. Industry observers are monitoring the final outcome closely, as the potential restrictions could impact global supply chains and technology diffusion.

Scope of Restrictions

The proposed export controls target specific manufacturing thresholds rather than broad product categories, focusing on the most advanced stages of solar production. The restrictions delineate precise technical parameters for both emerging and established technologies.

• Perovskite-silicon tandem cells utilizing 182 mm wafers with 30% efficiency.
• Slot-die coating processes operating at 1.1 meter widths.
• Perovskite modules measuring 1 square meter with 18% or 28% efficiency.
• Cold-hydrogenation fluidized-bed processes with 250,000 metric ton annual capacity.
• Silane-based fluidized-bed processes with 20,000 metric ton annual capacity.
• Silicon wafers with a thickness of 70 micrometers or thinner.

These thresholds highlight a dual focus on next-generation materials and high-volume production infrastructure. Tandem cells combine a perovskite layer with silicon to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight, and the 30% efficiency benchmark sits at the frontier of current commercial viability. Slot-die coating at 1.1 meter widths indicates a move toward industrial-scale deposition, a step beyond laboratory-scale roll-to-roll methods often used in early-stage pilot lines.

The inclusion of fluidized-bed processes targets the silicon feedstock production stage. Cold-hydrogenation and silane-based methods are critical for generating high-purity polysilicon, and the specified annual capacities suggest an intent to restrict large-scale, cost-efficient manufacturing plants rather than small experimental setups. Finally, the 70-micrometer limit on wafer thickness addresses the industry’s push for thinner substrates, which reduces material usage and waste but requires advanced handling techniques to prevent breakage during processing.

Regulatory Framework

The draft regulations extend beyond cell production to encompass upstream engineering and established cell architectures. Specifically, the proposals restrict the export of polysilicon plant engineering services with an annual capacity of 30,000 metric tons. This addition targets the design and construction phase of high-purity silicon facilities, which are foundational to the entire supply chain. By controlling the transfer of this engineering knowledge, the state aims to limit the replication of large-scale production infrastructure abroad.

The scope also covers three dominant crystalline silicon cell technologies: TOPCon, BC, and HJT. These are not experimental concepts but the current commercial standards for high-efficiency modules. TOPCon (tunnel oxide passivated contact) improves carrier collection, while HJT (heterojunction) combines crystalline and amorphous silicon layers. BC (back contact) cells move all electrical contacts to the rear, maximizing light absorption. Restricting these manufacturing processes implies a control over the standardization of high-efficiency production, not just the frontier perovskite technologies mentioned in the scope.

Enforcement mechanisms are already active. An interim registration requirement for listed technology exports began on October 16, 2026. This procedural step forces companies to declare their export activities before the final rules are codified. For manufacturers, this creates immediate compliance obligations, requiring them to assess which of their processes or engineering services fall under the new definitions. The registration system serves as a preliminary gate, allowing authorities to track technology flows while the public consultation concludes. It signals that the regulatory apparatus is operational even before the final thresholds are officially finalized in the joint announcement.

Strategic Rationale

The proposed export controls distinguish sharply between finished goods and the underlying industrial capability to produce them. By targeting manufacturing know-how rather than solar modules, the regulations aim to restrict the transfer of specific production techniques, such as slot-die coating or fluidized-bed processing, while potentially leaving the trade of completed cells and panels unaffected. This separation allows the state to maintain its position as a global supplier of solar hardware while withholding the precise engineering methods and process parameters required to replicate high-efficiency production lines elsewhere. For manufacturers, this creates a bifurcated market where selling equipment or technical expertise becomes a controlled activity, distinct from the commercial sale of energy-generating products.

Official justification for these restrictions cites national security concerns, specifically regarding potential applications in aerospace and defense sectors. While solar technology is primarily associated with renewable energy generation, advanced materials and precision manufacturing processes can have dual-use implications. High-purity silicon production and thin-film deposition techniques, for instance, involve specialized chemistry and engineering that may be relevant to other high-tech industries. By framing the controls through a security lens, the regulatory body establishes a broader legal basis for restricting technology transfers that might otherwise fall under standard commercial trade agreements. This approach aligns with a wider trend of using national security justifications to manage the flow of critical industrial capabilities, ensuring that strategic manufacturing advantages remain within domestic borders while navigating international trade obligations.

What to watch

The immediate priority is the conclusion of the public consultation period. Once comments are reviewed, authorities must finalize the joint announcement that codifies the specific thresholds for perovskite tandem cells, fluidized-bed capacities, and wafer thicknesses. Until that document is published, the exact boundaries of the restricted technology list remain provisional. Companies currently navigating the interim registration requirement will need to adjust their compliance strategies as final definitions solidify. This phase determines whether certain borderline processes, such as specific coating widths or silicon feedstock volumes, fall under strict export controls or remain in a regulatory gray area.

Beyond the immediate regulatory finalization, the market will monitor how foreign partners respond to the bifurcated trade environment. Developers and investors in emerging solar markets will assess the long-term impact on access to manufacturing know-how versus finished hardware. The distinction between selling equipment and selling modules will define new commercial relationships, potentially slowing the transfer of industrial capabilities to regions outside the controlling jurisdiction. Stakeholders should also observe whether the cited national security frameworks lead to broader restrictions on related dual-use materials or engineering services. The interplay between these controls and existing international trade agreements will shape the future structure of the global solar supply chain, influencing where new production lines are established and how technology flows across borders.