Restriction on the export of photovoltaic modules

What are China's new export restrictions on thin-film solar?

China has announced new export restrictions on materials essential for the thin-film solar industry, including critical minerals such as tungsten, tellurium, and indium. China’s Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs has imposed export controls on tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium.

Will China reduce export tax rebate for solar products?

China has reduced the export tax rebate for solar products, lowering refunded taxes for Chinese PV exporters and eating into their profit margins. The move might force some companies to increase export prices to mitigate potential financial losses.

How will China's CdTe export curbs affect First Solar?

China dominates global tellurium refining and CdTe production, meaning the export curbs could tighten supply and raise prices. US-based First Solar, the world’s largest producer of CdTe thin-film PV modules, could be particularly affected.

Are tariffs affecting the global solar trade?

The threat of tariffs on countries that supplied more than $10 billion of solar products to the United States last year, accounting for the vast majority of domestic supplies, has caused a dramatic shift in the global solar trade.

Will tariffs hurt us solar producers?

Critics of the effort, including the Solar Energy Industries Association trade group, have said tariffs would harm US solar producers because they would raise prices on the imported cells that are assembled into panels by American factories.

Will China phase out export tax rebates?

Some industry analysts, who spoke to pv magazine on condition of anonymity, said the tax rebate reduction is part of a longer-term strategy. With Chinese PV products dominating global markets, they said that the government might eventually phase out export tax rebates entirely.