Business

China's Solar Panel Exports Jump 60% on Year in April
By Reuters | 18 May, 2026

China's solar shipments abroad stayed robust even after the government removed an export tax refund, possibly due to demand created by the Iran conflict.

China's solar shipments abroad jumped 60% year-on-year in April, customs data showed on Monday, remaining robust even after the government removed an export tax refund.

Following are the details.

• In April, China shipped 60% more solar cells abroad than in the same month last year - and the shipments, valued at $3.12 billion - likely understate actual growth in energy terms since photovoltaic technology advances over time.

• Shipments were down from the previous month. April exports totaled 1.34 billion cells, compared with 1.71 billion in March.

• In volume terms, exports were 1.16 million metric tons in April, down from March's record high of 1.78 million tons, driven by rising demand in Southeast Asia and Africa.

• Investors have been betting that the Iran war would boost demand for renewables, but analysts said the surge in March was also a result of front-loading. Buyers rushed to import solar equipment before China cancelled an export tax refund program on April 1.

• China's customs administration will release country-specific data on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Colleen Howe; Editing by Hugh Lawson)