“Out of control” imports: Key takeaways from PV Tech webinar on European solar

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Finlay Colville described module shipments from China to the EU as “out of control”. Image: Heckert Solar

The solar manufacturing industry in Europe has been facing challenges this year, as reported by PV Tech, and the influx of solar modules from China is a significant challenge for European manufacturers.

On 25 October, PV Tech launched the webinar ‘The changing landscape of solar module supply to Europe’ to discuss these issues. During the webinar, Solar Media’s head of research Finlay Colville and Chinese solar module manufacturer Seraphim’s global sales vice president Insan Boy examined solar PV module supply to Europe and identified trends in technology.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Colville said solar PV module supply in Europe was close to 40GW, a level that the EU market could take. However, solar PV module supply significantly increased to over 60GW in 2022, and ultimately reaching around 100GW this year.

He described solar shipments from China to the EU as “out of control,” and have created conditions where producing modules is rarely profitable for European manufacturers, as module supply far exceeds demand.

According to Boy, China exported 128GW of solar modules to the world from January to August 2023, an amount higher than installation requirements. Of the exported solar modules, 72GW or 56% were shipped to Europe. Year-on-year exports to the Netherlands, France, Italy and Belgium increased significantly. 

The webinar also examined solar cell efficiency. Boy said due to the maturity of the process and the simplicity of production, PERC cells based on p-type wafers are still the mainstream at the moment.

However, its market share is expected to be only 68% this year, down from 84% in 2022, as n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cells are gaining traction. N-type TOPCon’s market share is expected to reach 21% this year, up from 8% in 2022.

Lastly, Coville also explained the PV ModuleTech Bankability Ratings during the webinar. A total of 16 module suppliers were awarded A or B grades. Of these companies, nine module suppliers with a total capacity of about 80GW are capable of working on utility projects, including LONGi, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, Risen Energy, Astronergy, Seraphim and DMEGC Solar. 

Other solar companies’ bankability ratings will be unveiled at PV ModuleTech Europe 2023 in Barcelona on 28-29 November 2023. 

For the full coverage of the changing landscape of solar module supply to Europe webinar, please refer to the article on PV Tech Premium.

2 December 2025
Málaga, Spain
Understanding PV module supply to the European market in 2026. PV ModuleTech Europe 2025 is a two-day conference that tackles these challenges directly, with an agenda that addresses all aspects of module supplier selection; product availability, technology offerings, traceability of supply-chain, factory auditing, module testing and reliability, and company bankability.

Read Next

June 27, 2025
Indian solar manufacturer Premier Energies has commissioned its 1.2GW TOPCon solar cell manufacturing line at Fab City, Hyderabad, Telangana.
June 17, 2025
Indian module manufacturer Ahaan Solar has started construction of a 2GW solar module assembly plant in Rohnat, Haryana.
Premium
June 13, 2025
SNEC 2025 takeaways: TOPCon modules set benchmark power at 650W, a wave of BC modules and perovskite tandem cells gains momentum.
Premium
June 9, 2025
N-type polysilicon prices have dropped to RMB34,000/ton as the project installation rush ends, putting cost pressure on the industrial chain.
June 5, 2025
Solar manufacturer Involt Energy has broken ground on its first solar cell manufacturing plant in the western Indian state of Gujarat, with an initial annual nameplate capacity of 1.78GW. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
July 2, 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico