Export restrictions on crystalline silicon photovoltaic (c-Si PV) technology are currently shaped by U.S. countervailing and antidumping duties on imports and potential Chinese controls on PV production equipment.

U.S. Countervailing and Antidumping Measures

The United States has actively imposed countervailing duties (CVDs) and antidumping duties (ADs) on c-Si solar cells and modules from multiple countries to protect domestic manufacturers. In 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce determined that solar cells from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam received countervailable subsidies, leading to duties on imports from these countries . Similarly, preliminary CVD investigations in 2026 targeted India, Indonesia, and Laos, with final determinations expected in July 2026 . These measures aim to address material injury to U.S. solar manufacturers caused by subsidized imports and can significantly affect the global supply chain by increasing costs for imported modules.

Chinese Export Controls

China, the largest global supplier of solar PV technology, has considered curbing exports of certain PV production equipment and high-efficiency silicon wafer technologies. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology proposed revisions to the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited and Restricted for Export, including items such as large-size silicon wafers, black silicon, ultra-high-efficiency ingot casting, and polycrystalline technologies . While no formal ban has been published, the move is intended to maintain China's dominance in wafer production technology, which is critical because Chinese companies produce nearly all wire saws and CZ-pullers used in monocrystalline ingot and wafer manufacturing . Such restrictions could limit the ability of foreign manufacturers to access advanced PV production equipment, potentially slowing deployment outside China.

Implications for the Global PV Market

Crystalline silicon remains the dominant PV technology, accounting for over 95% of the market and offering efficiencies typically between 17% and 22% for mainstream modules . Export restrictions, whether through U.S. trade duties or Chinese equipment controls, can increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and incentivize local production in the U.S., India, and Europe. These measures also encourage diversification of the PV supply chain and investment in domestic manufacturing capabilities to reduce dependence on Chinese technology.

Summary

• U.S. export restrictions: Countervailing and antidumping duties on c-Si solar cells from multiple countries to protect domestic industry .
• Chinese potential restrictions: Export controls on PV production equipment and advanced wafer technologies to maintain global market dominance .
• Market impact: Higher costs for imported modules, supply chain adjustments, and accelerated local manufacturing initiatives . These policies collectively shape the international trade landscape for crystalline silicon PV technology, influencing both pricing and deployment speed of solar energy worldwide.