34% Efficiency Solar: China Bans Export of Its Future Cells

On October 16, China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Science and Technology proposed a revision to the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Subject to Export Restrictions. A total of 40 technologies are affected, spanning three sectors: artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and solar energy. Beijing proposes to prohibit the export of 14 of these technologies and to subject the remaining 26 to licensing requirements.

In the photovoltaic sector, 12 technologies are targeted. The proposed measures do not directly target finished products, but rather the know-how, processes, and equipment essential to their manufacturing.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China accounts for more than 80% of global solar module manufacturing capacity and 95% of silicon wafer production capacity. These restrictions therefore concern an industry in which the country already holds a dominant position.

To justify this project, Beijing cites national security. According to the Ministry of Commerce, photovoltaic technologies are increasingly used in sensitive sectors, such as aerospace, defense, and unmanned equipment. The proposal is subject to a public consultation until November 15.

Tandem and perovskite cells in the crosshairs

Perovskite and tandem cells are among the key technologies affected. China aims to ban the export of certain processes necessary for their manufacture. These technologies are promising: by stacking a perovskite layer on a silicon cell, a tandem cell captures a broader portion of the solar spectrum. The perovskite-silicon tandem technology has already enabled several Chinese manufacturers, such as JinkoSolar and LONGi, to surpass the 33.7% efficiency limit of a single-junction cell. LONGi holds the record, with 34.85% certified by the American laboratory NREL.

Specifically, China intends to prohibit the export of manufacturing processes for perovskite-silicon tandem cells with an efficiency of at least 30% and using silicon wafers of at least 182 mm. The measures also cover the slot-die coating technique. This is a key technology that enables the transition of perovskite from the laboratory to the factory. Beijing wants to ban its export for perovskite photovoltaic applications requiring a coating width of at least 1.1 meters.

The restrictions also extend to the manufacturing technologies for large-scale solar modules. They target processes capable of producing single-junction perovskite modules of at least one square meter with a minimum efficiency of 18%, as well as tandem modules of the same surface area achieving at least 28% efficiency.

Polysilicon and next-generation cells

Polysilicon, an essential raw material for crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, is also included in the list. Beijing aims to ban the export of fluidized bed processes used for large-scale production: cold hydrogenation of trichlorosilane on lines with an annual capacity of at least 250,000 tonnes, and the silane route on lines with an annual capacity of at least 20,000 tonnes.

The list also covers engineering expertise useful in the construction of polysilicon plants, including those with a single production line capable of producing at least 30,000 tonnes per year. In the proposal, certain know-how required to manufacture the machinery and equipment for these facilities is also subject to prior export authorization.

Silicon wafers are also targeted. Beijing seeks to prohibit the export of manufacturing processes for wafers with a thickness of 70 micrometers or less, as well as certain edge passivation techniques for thin cells. Advanced ingot pulling and wafer slicing processes would, for their part, be subject to licensing.

Beijing also plans to subject several advanced manufacturing technologies for crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells to export licensing, without outright banning them, including TOPCon, Back Contact, and heterojunction architectures.

What would these measures entail?

The restrictions have not yet taken effect. Their final adoption will depend on the conclusions of the public consultation, which is scheduled to end on Sunday, November 15. In the meantime, a transitional measure has already been in force since October 16. Companies are required to pre-declare certain technology transfers listed in the catalog to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

Beijing has already used this lever in the battery sector. In July 2025, following a consultation launched at the beginning of the year, the two ministries added battery cathode preparation technologies, including lithium iron phosphate (LFP), as well as several lithium extraction processes, to the same catalog. These technologies are not banned, but their export has required a license since then.

If the proposal is adopted, China will be able to maintain a lead in the most advanced photovoltaic technologies. Major economies seeking to reshore their solar production, such as the United States and Europe, may face greater challenges in doing so. These countries remain dependent on China for access to the highest-performing equipment.

For individuals purchasing solar panels, the measure does not directly change anything: China’s Ministry of Commerce clarified that products manufactured using these technologies remain outside the scope of the regulation. It also assured that the revision does not target any specific country. Chinese manufacturers, however, will have to comply with these rules, as installing, commissioning, or modernizing a production line abroad will require an export license, or may become impossible for prohibited technologies.

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Energy specialist journalist. Passionate about climate issues and with several years of experience in specialized media, Miotisoa analyzes the energy sector from all angles. From low-carbon technologies to practical buying guides, she is committed to making complex topics accessible to help you better understand the energy transition, with an expert and engaged writing style.

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