China Solar Exports Surge to Record 68 GW as Persian Gulf Tensions Roil Energy Markets
March exports twice February's level, equivalent to Spain's entire installed solar capacity, as energy crisis strains emerging economies
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- China exported a record 68 GW of solar panels, cells and wafers in March 2026 – roughly twice February's level – as tensions in the Persian Gulf shipping corridor following US-Israel military strikes on Iran (Feb 28) triggered an energy crisis.
- The surge, equivalent to Spain's entire installed solar capacity and 50% above the previous August 2025 record, saw at least 50 countries record all-time highs in Chinese solar equipment imports, reflecting rapid expansion across emerging and developed markets.
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The Persian Gulf shipping corridor, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas flows, has become a focal pressure point amid escalating tensions that began on February 28 with US-Israel military strikes on Iran. The ensuing energy crisis has caused massive economic pain in countries like India and other emerging economies, where soaring fuel costs have stoked inflation and strained national budgets. Against this backdrop, China exported 68 gigawatts of solar panels, cells and wafers in March – roughly twice February's level – according to London-based energy think tank Ember, using Chinese customs data. The scale of the increase is striking. The latest monthly total is equivalent to Spain's entire installed solar capacity and exceeds the previous record set in August 2025, by nearly 50 per cent. The surge was broad-based. At least 50 countries recorded all-time highs in their imports of Chinese solar equipment, pointing to rapid expansion across emerging and developed markets.
