China plans to impose export controls on 12 photovoltaic technologies

(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that since solar technology is increasingly used in sensitive fields such as aerospace and national defense, it is necessary to include related technologies in the export control list. It's part of export rule revisions released on Friday that also cover artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

China's Ministry of Commerce stated that the purpose of implementing export controls is to "prevent the risk of out-of-control or improper proliferation of technology, while ensuring normal international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation." Analysts pointed out that while the United States, India and other countries are trying to establish local production systems, China hopes to continue to maintain its monopoly in the field of photovoltaic technology. After China implements export controls, plans by Tesla and other U.S. companies to establish photovoltaic production capabilities in the United States may be affected.

Under China’s latest plan, technologies including those used to make certain thin silicon wafers, perovskites and tandem solar cells, as well as large-scale fluidized bed polysilicon production technology will be included in the scope of export controls.

The new regulations have not yet taken effect, and the public consultation period will last until November 15.