China’s Solar Exports Fell 21.4% in July
Chinese exports of solar cells and panels dropped in July as the removal of the local export tax rebate as of April 1 continued to depress exports for the third straight month. China’s solar equipment exports declined by 21.4% last month from a year earlier, according to Chinese customs data cited by Reuters on Tuesday. The world’s top solar panel and cell manufacturer scrapped, effective April…
China's solar exports experienced a significant decline of 21.4% in July compared to the previous year, according to Chinese customs data. This trend marks the third consecutive month of decreasing exports, following the removal of the local export tax rebate for photovoltaic products, including solar cells and panels, starting April 1, 2026.
The decision to scrap the export tax rebate was viewed favorably by China's domestic solar manufacturing industry, as it aimed to restore rational pricing in foreign markets and mitigate trade friction risks for China. The Chinese government's policy change was anticipated to have a negative impact on solar exports from April 2026 onward, as it would increase export costs and make Chinese PV products more expensive globally.
Prior to the April deadline, Chinese solar exports had surged in March, reaching a record-high of 68 gigawatts (GW) due to heightened demand for clean energy in South and Southeast Asia, exacerbated by the oil supply shock at the Strait of Hormuz and additional tax rebate adjustments reported by Ember. Despite the overall decline, shipments to Africa, Southeast, and South Asia continued to grow in the summer months, with exports to these regions up by 33%, 26%, and 12%, respectively.
However, Chinese solar exports to Europe, China's largest market, fell by 18%, while exports to the Middle East dropped by a substantial 38% in June.
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