China solar exports fall over 57% month-on-month in February 2020

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Export data for February 2020 indicates a 57.2% drop, month-on-month and almost a 30% decline, year-on-year. Export volume in February was only around 2.83GW.

As expected, the extension of the Chinese New Year due to the COVID-19 crisis and restrictions to travelling and manufacturing re-starts had a sizeable impact on PV module exports from China in February, according to the latest official figures. 

Solar component shipments were up slightly in January from the previous month, which stood at around 4.45GW, yet were down 35% from around 6GW in the prior year period. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

However, export data for February 2020 indicates a 57.2% drop month-on-month, rising to a decline of nearly 30% year-on-year. Export volume in February was only around 2.83GW.

Typically, a limited number of China-based PV manufacturers dominate module export figures. These include leading ‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member JinkoSolar, SMSL member Canadian Solar, JA Solar, LONGi Solar and Risen Energy, as well as the likes of Trina Solar. 

The export volume of ten major PV manufacturers accounted for around 83% of the February 2020 export data, or approximately 2.35GW. 

Recently in reporting fourth quarter and full-year 2019 financial results, JinkoSolar noted that COVID-19 had been attributed to an estimated 400MW to 500MW of PV module shipments being delayed from the first quarter of 2020 to the second quarter. The company also noted that its current capacity utilisation rate has already returned to 100%, recently. 

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
10 March 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
The conference will gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

September 17, 2025
Chinese module producer DAS Solar is planning a 5GW manufacturing facility focused on producing high-efficiency back contact cells.
Premium
September 17, 2025
PV CellTech: Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of North American solar module manufacturer Heliene, says US producers must learn to survive without tax incentives.
September 16, 2025
Chinese polysilicon producer GCL-Tech has entered into a strategic financing agreement with Infini Capital, a globally renowned investment institution backed by a Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund.
September 16, 2025
IB Solar is investing INR30 billion (US$340 million) in a 4GW TOPCon solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.
September 15, 2025
Vikram Solar has secured a contract to supply 200MW of modules to AB Energia, a domestic solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) solutions provider. 
September 11, 2025
US cell manufacturer ES Foundry is proceeding with expansion plans despite a six-month delay due to recent trade and tax credit policy uncertainties.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA