China's MIIT proposes stricter solar cell and module efficiency standards in draft 2026 specifications

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released for public consultation on Oct. 16 draft 2026 Photovoltaic Manufacturing Industry Specifications that would replace the 2024 rules and raise minimum average conversion efficiencies, with the consultation open until Nov. 15. New and expanded cell lines would need 26.2% for n-type TOPCon, 26.0% for HJT and 26.6% for BC, up from a uniform 26.0% for new n-type cells; existing lines would need 25.3% for TOPCon and HJT and 25.6% for BC, against 25.0% previously.