Key Takeaways
- China has proposed export controls on 12 solar manufacturing technologies.
- The move aims to safeguard national security and preserve China's technological dominance.
- Public consultation on the proposal will close on November 15.
China has proposed export controls on 12 technologies used in solar equipment, including perovskite and tandem solar cells, as part of a broader revision that also covers AI and biotechnology.
The Ministry of Commerce stated that greater oversight is needed because solar technologies are increasingly being used in sensitive areas like aerospace and national defence.
Initial talks with manufacturers about potential curbs on advanced solar-panel manufacturing technologies were reported by Reuters in April, potentially affecting US firms like Tesla.
China has also curbed exports of solar-manufacturing technology to India, according to Reuters reports.
Analysts suggest that China is seeking to preserve its dominance as India tries to build up domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on Chinese technology.
Export restrictions aim to 'guard against the risks of technologies from running out of control or being improperly disseminated, while safeguarding normal international exchanges and cooperation in science and technology,' the ministry said.
Exporters must now register certain overseas technology transfers until the export-control catalogue is formally updated.
The proposed ban includes technologies used to make some thin wafers, perovskite and tandem solar cells, as well as large-scale fluidized-bed polysilicon production technologies.
China would also restrict, but not prohibit, exports of advanced solar cell manufacturing technologies, including TOPCon, HJT and XBC.
