China Moves to Restrict Export of Advanced Solar Manufacturing Know-How

China is proposing to block foreign access to a range of cutting-edge solar cell manufacturing technologies, citing national security grounds tied to the use of photovoltaic systems in aerospace and defence applications.

The joint proposal from China’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology would place 12 solar industry segments under tighter export controls. The draft update to China’s restricted and prohibited technology export catalogue distinguishes between outright bans and technologies requiring government licensing before transfer.

Technologies earmarked for an outright ban include:

• Tandem cell production processes on wafers of 182 mm or larger, where cell efficiency reaches 30% or above
• Slot-die perovskite coating equipment and processes for widths of 1.1 metres or more
• Ultra-thin silicon wafer manufacturing knowledge for wafers up to 70 micrometres thick
• Trichlorosilane production reactors with annual capacity of 250,000 tonnes or more

TOPCon, heterojunction, and back-contact cell line technologies would fall into a separate restricted category requiring individual licensing rather than a full ban.

The controls target manufacturing technologies and licences rather than finished solar modules, meaning foreign producers would no longer be able to acquire these capabilities directly from Chinese suppliers. A public consultation runs through 15 November, though an interim registration requirement for IP transfers and foreign licensing agreements under the catalogue took effect on 16 October.

PV Magazine, which reported the proposals, assessed that the controls could delay solar manufacturing projects outside China and slow efforts by foreign producers to close the technology gap with Chinese industry. Beijing stressed the measures are not aimed at any particular country.

Source: PV Magazine USA