daily · Clean Energy

China proposes export controls on polysilicon, ultra-thin wafer and perovskite solar technologies

China's Ministry of Commerce is consulting on export controls covering 12 photovoltaic manufacturing technologies, including high-capacity polysilicon processes, wafer production at 70 micrometers or thinner, and perovskite-silicon tandem cell lines achieving 30% efficiency. The proposals were released for public comment on October 16, 2026.

By Greener Numbers Editorial Team · Published October 22, 2026 · Updated 10/22/2026

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has proposed export controls on key photovoltaic manufacturing technologies, issuing an announcement on October 16, 2026 seeking public comment on revisions to the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export, PV Tech reported. The update covers 40 technologies across artificial intelligence, biomedicine and photovoltaics, with 12 new PV technologies related to polysilicon, wafer and solar cell production proposed for inclusion, alongside temporary pre-export registration requirements.

Under the prohibited category for polysilicon, the rules target cold hydrogenation fluidised-bed processes with single-line trichlorosilane capacity of at least 250,000 tonnes per year and silane fluidised-bed processes of at least 20,000 tonnes per year, including associated equipment manufacturing technology. For wafers, the ban covers production technology for wafers 70 micrometers thick or less, with program code, underlying algorithmic models and equipment drawings explicitly within scope.

The solar cell restrictions cover edge-passivation technology for crystalline silicon cells using wafers of 140 micrometers or thinner in formats from 182 mm to 230 mm, and perovskite production technologies including perovskite-silicon tandem cells with mass-production wafer sizes of at least 182 mm and efficiency of 30% or more; perovskite narrow-gap coating with processing width of 1.1 meters or more; single-junction perovskite modules of at least one square meter exceeding 18% efficiency; and large-area tandem perovskite modules of at least one square meter at 28% efficiency or more.

MOFCOM said the controlled items were selected for their high thresholds on production capacity, dimensions and efficiency, framing the measures as safeguarding core technological competitiveness while allowing conventional green technology cooperation to continue. The consultation remains open, and no final rule has been adopted.

Official source: pv-tech.org ↗