China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) is consulting on proposals to introduce export controls on key PV components, including polysilicon, wafers and cells.
The ministry issued an announcement on 16 October seeking public comments on revisions to the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export and the introduction of temporary pre-export registration requirements for the relevant technologies.
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The proposed update covers 40 technologies spanning three sectors: artificial intelligence, biomedicine and photovoltaics. Under the PV category, 12 new technologies related to polysilicon, wafer and solar cell manufacturing have been proposed for inclusion. The scope will also cover key core equipment that embodies these technologies, strengthening export oversight over critical PV technologies.
The PV technologies that have been proposed for export bans are as follows:
| Technology | Key control points |
| Polysilicon production | 1. Cold hydrogenation fluidised-bed process with a single-line trichlorosilane capacity≥250,000 tonnes per year, and its associated equipment manufacturing technology. 2. Silane fluidised-bed process with a single-line capacity≥20,000 tonnes per year, and its associated equipment manufacturing technology. |
| Wafer production | Production technology for wafers with thickness≤70 micrometers, and its associated equipment manufacturing technology. Note: “Wafer production technology” includes program code, underlying algorithmic models, equipment drawings, etc. |
| Solar cell production | 1. Edge-passivation technology for crystalline silicon cell production, and its associated equipment manufacturing technology, meeting all of the following criteria: (1) Applicable to full, half or multi-cut PV wafers. When measured by full wafer dimensions, side lengths range from 182mm to 230mm; (2) Wafer thickness ≤140 micrometers. 2. Perovskite and tandem cell module production technology, and its associated equipment manufacturing technology, including: (1) Perovskite-crystalline silicon tandem cell technology: mass-production wafer size ≥182 mm and efficiency ≥30%; (2) Perovskite-specific narrow-gap coating technology: processing width ≥1.1 meters; (3) Large-area single-junction perovskite cell module technology: single-junction perovskite module area ≥1 square meter and efficiency ≥18%; (4) Large-area tandem perovskite cell module technology: module area ≥1 square meter and efficiency≥28%. |
Source: MOFCOM.
According to the announcement, PV technologies proposed for control under this revision fall into two categories: prohibited and restricted. The prohibited list covers polysilicon, wafer and solar cell production technologies.
The prohibited polysilicon production technologies include the cold hydrogenation fluidised-bed process with a single-line trichlorosilane capacity of at least 250,000 tonnes per year, the silane fluidized-bed process with a single-line capacity of at least 20,000 tonnes per year, and their associated equipment manufacturing technologies. Controlled items for wafer production comprise wafer manufacturing and equipment manufacturing technologies for wafers no thicker than 70 micrometers. The scope of control covers program code, underlying algorithmic models, equipment drawings and other core technical materials (see table above).
The prohibited solar cell production technologies cover specialized edge passivation technology for crystalline silicon cells, as well as production and equipment manufacturing technologies for perovskite and perovskite-silicon tandem modules. Clear quantitative thresholds are set for parameters including wafer size, conversion efficiency, coating width and module area.
Regarding the new PV items under this revision, MOFCOM noted three key considerations:
First, safeguarding national security and interests. PV technologies are seeing growing deployment in sensitive areas, including aerospace, national defence, unmanned systems and high-security infrastructure. National security risks arising from the export of such PV technologies are rising, which calls for timely and proportionate oversight.
Second, enabling the sharing of green technologies. The scope of controlled technologies remains narrow. PV technologies that do not meet the control thresholds may still be exported freely. The notice imposes controls on a limited number of key PV equipment, targeting only cases involving technologies that meet the threshold criteria. Other PV equipment not specified in the catalogue is, in principle, beyond the scope of these measures.
Third, refining the technology export oversight framework. Exports of core PV technologies are often bundled with activities such as the overseas deployment of PV production lines, on-site installation, commissioning and upgrades. Exporters undertaking such activities must apply for technology export licences in accordance with applicable regulations. With such licences in hand, they may complete relevant formalities for foreign exchange, banking, taxation, customs and other administrative matters.
Industry analysts note that this revision introduces a threshold-based control mechanism rather than blanket, one-size-fits-all export restrictions on PV technologies across the full industrial chain. Controls apply exclusively to advanced manufacturing processes and associated equipment that meet high thresholds for production capacity, dimensions and efficiency. This helps safeguard China’s core technological competitiveness while fostering sound development of international cooperation and overseas operations for conventional green technologies within the sector.
