- Overall Chinese solar panel (module) exports declined around 11% year on year into the first two months of 2025 as manufacturers prioritise domestic demand – according to InfoLink Consulting’s market report.
- Exports to Europe, Asia Pacific, the Americas and the Middle East declined while exports to Africa increased 110%.
China’s solar PV module export volumes for the months of January and February 2025 were significantly weaker than last year, according to InfoLink Consulting. The country exported about 38.52 GW of solar modules during 2M 2025, an 11% decline year-on-year (YoY) from 43.11 GW in 2M 2024.
Further bifurcation shows a 2% annual growth in January 2025 shipments, at about 22.26 GW. In February, the volume declined by 23% YoY to 16.26 GW.
InfoLink analysts believe that this hints at Chinese companies prioritizing domestic market demand as China brings in market-oriented pricing changes from June 1, 2025. Modules are being directed toward fulfilling the installation rush expected till May this year.
Chinese solar manufacturers reduced overseas supply as the local market share of leading companies reached 40-45% for Q1 2025, they report.
Chinese shipments to Africa increased by 110% YoY to about 1.32 GW in January 2025, even though there was a 16% decline in the export volume of 580 MW in the ensuing month.
InfoLink projects the Chinese overseas export volume to decline even further in March and April this year. This will lead to a slight rebound in overseas module prices in the short term. It will reflect as $0.085 to $0.09 in some regions, up from the original level of $0.08 to $0.085. However, module prices will return to a ‘slow downward trend’ during H2 2025.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
