- Three mandatory standards now cover the entire solar power manufacturing chain in China
- The rules come into effect on January 1, 2027 on polysilicon, wafers and modules.
- Older polysilicon facilities are under pressure to upgrade their heat recovery systems
China is preparing a major reset of its solar industry by introducing mandatory energy rules that could eliminate inefficient production capacity.
The new standards cover the entire photovoltaic supply chain, including polysilicon, silicon wafers, modules and inverters in domestic manufacturing.
These measures, which are expected to come into force on January 1, 2027, aim to reduce excess capacity and ward off low-price competition.
New rules target energy-intensive solar production
The three standards, known as GB 29447-2026, GB 47835-2026 and GB 47834-2026, establish binding requirements for solar manufacturing efficiency.
Unlike previous voluntary guidelines, these rules create mandatory limits that can influence decisions on production, supply, import and renewable energy projects.
GB 29447-2026 focuses on the production of polysilicon and germanium by tightening energy consumption limits for key manufacturing processes.
These requirements are expected to put pressure on older, more energy-consuming polysilicon installations while encouraging upgrades to efficient systems.
Manufacturers may need to adopt improved methods of heat recovery, hydrogen recycling and process optimization to meet new energy requirements.
The wafer sector will also face stricter rules through GB 47835-2026, which covers production standards for monocrystalline silicon.
Older crystal extraction equipment and inefficient wafer production lines could face increasing pressure as the industry moves toward improved manufacturing methods.
Technologies such as continuous crystal mining, better thermal management and thinner wafers are expected to gain importance.
GB 47834-2026 introduces energy efficiency requirements for crystalline silicon modules and grid-connected inverters, affecting finished solar products.
The module standard would have introduced three levels of effectiveness, with Level 1 representing the highest level of the classification system.
Minimum Tier 3 efficiency levels are reported to be approximately 23.2% for TOPCon and HJT modules, as well as 23.5% for BC designs.
The standard also introduces environmental stress testing and bifacial performance requirements for different module technologies.
Solar price wars come under pressure from tougher standards
China’s solar industry has faced severe oversupply for nearly two years, forcing manufacturers to compete aggressively on price, and the new rules are expected to accelerate the retirement of old production lines and increase pressure on less efficient manufacturers.
Legacy PERC module facilities, early TOPCon production capabilities, and high-energy polysilicon factories could see the greatest impact.
Companies that operate newer, less energy-consuming production systems may find it easier to meet future requirements, and the changes could also affect how solar projects select equipment, with government-backed tenders adopting stricter compliance measures.
Utilities and public renewable energy projects may increasingly prioritize products that meet higher energy efficiency and performance standards.
For solar manufacturers, this change could increase costs in the short term due to equipment upgrades, factory changes and capacity reductions. However, the new framework could move the industry away from endless price cuts and toward efficiency-driven competition.
These rules mark a major change for a market that has grown rapidly thanks to low-cost manufacturing and high production volumes.
By limiting inefficient capacity, China appears to be moving toward a solar sector built around energy savings and higher quality production.
Via pv magazine
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