China Proposes New Export Controls on Solar Manufacturing Technology

China has proposed new export controls on 12 different technologies used to make solar equipment. The Ministry of Commerce announced the proposal on Friday, October 16, 2026, pointing to national security concerns as the reason for the move.

Details of the Controls

Beijing plans to ban the export of certain technologies, including those used to make thin wafers, perovskite and tandem solar cells, and large-scale fluidized-bed polysilicon production. At the same time, the government will restrict but not completely ban other advanced solar cell manufacturing methods like TOPCon, HJT, and XBC. The proposed rules are part of a wider update that also covers artificial intelligence and biotechnology. Chinese officials previously held early talks with makers about these potential limits in April, and experts note the move could impact plans by U.S. companies such as Tesla to grow production at home.

Context

China currently holds a dominant position in global solar manufacturing, while other nations like India and the United States work to build up their own domestic industries and lower their reliance on Chinese supply chains. While the formal export-control list is being updated, exporters must register certain overseas technology transfers, and the public consultation period on the proposal runs until November 15.