China solar module prices hold at $0.107/W as proposed price floors draw skepticism

China's TOPCon module export prices held steady for a second week despite a proposal by eight major polysilicon manufacturers, discussed at an October 11 meeting in Hangzhou, for minimum selling prices of CNY 0.79/W for TOPCon modules and CNY 0.86/W for back-contact modules, alongside a minimum polysilicon price of CNY 43/kg inclusive of tax. The OPIS Global Solar Markets Report released October 20 put the Chinese Module Marker for TOPCon modules below 645 W at $0.107/W FOB China, unchanged, with Q1 2027 forward prices at $0.106/W.

China solar module prices hold at $0.107/W as proposed price floors draw skepticism

China's TOPCon module export prices held steady for a second week, with the OPIS Chinese Module Marker for TOPCon modules below 645 W from China unchanged at $0.107/W FOB China in the Oct. 20 OPIS Global Solar Markets Report, despite a proposal by eight major polysilicon manufacturers at an Oct. 11 meeting in Hangzhou for minimum selling prices of CNY 0.79/W for TOPCon modules, CNY 0.86/W for back-contact modules and CNY 43/kg for polysilicon, inclusive of tax. Trade sources questioned whether the floors could be sustained, since industry self-discipline agreements are not legally enforceable price controls.

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.

Linton files patent suit against JSG over crystal pullers for 10 GW Texas solar line

Linton Crystal Technologies filed a patent infringement complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Chinese machinery manufacturer Zhejiang Jingsheng Mechanical and Electrical (JSG), alleging JSG infringed its patented seed-lifting and rotating systems used in Czochralski crystal pullers. Linton claims JSG won a contract to supply crystal-growth furnaces for a 10 GW photovoltaic production line in Texas using the contested designs and began importing the equipment, with deliveries scheduled in 2026. Tesla is not named as a defendant; the case, Linton Crystal Technologies Corp. v. Zhejiang Jingsheng Mechanical and Electrical Co., Ltd., is pending before Judge Rodney Gilstrap in the Marshall Division.

China proposes export ban on perovskite and tandem solar manufacturing technology

China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology proposed on Oct. 16, under Joint Announcement No. 48 of 2026, adding 12 photovoltaic technologies to the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export, covering perovskite-silicon tandem cell processes for wafers of at least 182 mm and efficiencies of 30% or higher, slot-die coating at widths of at least 1.1 meters, single-junction perovskite modules of at least 1 square meter at 18% or higher, and tandem modules of the same area at 28% or higher.

China proposes export ban on perovskite and tandem solar manufacturing technology

China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology proposed on Oct. 16, under Joint Announcement No. 48 of 2026, adding 12 photovoltaic technologies to the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export, covering perovskite-silicon tandem cell processes for wafers of at least 182 mm and efficiencies of 30% or higher, slot-die coating at widths of at least 1.1 meters, and single-junction perovskite modules of at least 1 square meter at 18% or higher.

OPIS reports China TOPCon cell prices fell after Golden Week as industry weighs proposed price floors

The OPIS Global Solar Markets Report released Oct. 13 shows FOB China TOPCon M10 cell prices fell 0.86% week on week to $0.0463/W and TOPCon 210R cells fell 0.66% to $0.0454/W, ending two weeks of stability and leaving both formats about 13% below late-August peaks. A trader source said U.S. restrictions on stockpiling, under a temporary rule covering polysilicon and its derivatives ahead of Section 232 measures taking effect Dec. 4, were expected to further weaken overseas demand.

China's solar anti-involution campaign adds mandatory efficiency and energy standards from Jan. 1, 2027

China's anti-involution campaign against below-cost competition in solar manufacturing now combines CPIA's standardized cost-accounting model, an Aug. 6 pledge by eight polysilicon producers representing more than 90% of effective capacity to price at or above full cost, and three mandatory national standards taking effect Jan. 1, 2027. The standards cap polysilicon energy consumption at 6.3 kg of standard coal equivalent per kilogram and set minimum Grade 3 module conversion efficiency of 23.2% for TOPCon and HJT and 23.5% for BC. The Silicon Industry Branch estimates effective polysilicon capacity will fall to about 2.4 million MT after restructuring, 16.4% below end-2024 levels.

Report: US polysilicon minimum import price increase may slip past Dec. 4

Industry checks reported by pv magazine indicate that an increase in US minimum import prices under the polysilicon Section 232 framework may not occur until after Dec. 4, with implementation potentially moving into early 2027, reflecting Commerce's desire to observe how the initial proclamation operates and to gather further investor feedback. The report says Commerce and CBP are expected to scrutinize imports declared at the minimum price, and shipments may be detained while the underlying transaction is verified.

China wafer prices hold steady as BIS stockpiling rule curbs U.S.-bound demand

China's N-type M10 and 210R wafer FOB prices were unchanged week on week at $0.149/pc and $0.153/pc, per the OPIS Global Solar Markets Report released Oct. 6, with wafer inventories estimated at around 25 GW. A temporary final rule issued in late September by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security restricts stockpiling of polysilicon and polysilicon derivatives ahead of Section 232 import adjustments taking effect Dec. 4, 2026, covering imports during the transition period from Sept. 22 to Dec. 3.

Global polysilicon prices hold steady as China price gains meet buyer resistance

U.S. Commerce temporary final rule restricts polysilicon stockpiling ahead of Section 232 import adjustments

The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a temporary final rule restricting stockpiling of polysilicon and its derivatives ahead of Section 232 import adjustments taking effect on Dec. 4, 2026, covering imports during the transition period from Sept. 22 to Dec. 3. The rule followed trade data showing a sharp increase in polysilicon imports after the Section 232 measures were released in early August. One market participant said the rule could curb China-origin wafers, cells and modules entering through circumvention channels involving smaller traders and companies, with limited direct impact on global polysilicon demand.

BIS issues temporary final rule on polysilicon stockpiling under Proclamation 11052

BIS issued a temporary final rule, effective September 22, 2026 through December 3, 2026, setting the criteria and process it will use to monitor existing companies for evidence of stockpiling polysilicon and polysilicon derivatives ahead of import adjustments effective December 4, 2026 under Proclamation 11052. The rule limits a newly established importer's ability to stockpile, imposes import limitations on new importers that register with CBP on or after August 6, 2026, and subjects companies found to be stockpiling to an import prohibition if necessary. It also establishes the process for such companies to obtain a waiver from any import prohibitions imposed under the rule.

CBP issues guidance on polysilicon import ban under Proclamation 11052

CBP states in CSMS # 69994928 that, under Commerce's Temporary Final Rule implementing Proclamation 11052 (91 FR 51975), an importer of record that Commerce determines is importing polysilicon products in volumes substantially greater than its historic averages, or that a new importer of record is exceeding applicable weekly quantity limits, is prohibited from making further entries of certain polysilicon products until December 4, 2026. The goods may be moved to a bonded warehouse but may not be entered for consumption before that date. Affected importers may apply to Commerce to waive the prohibition.