(May 18): China’s solar cell exports remained resilient in April, defying expectations that the removal of tax rebates would damp overseas demand for the country’s clean tech products.
Shipments of solar cells grew 60% by volume last month compared with a year ago, according to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs on Monday. The increase follows an 80% surge in March, which was partly driven by a rush of shipments ahead of the cancellation of export tax rebates from April 1.
Energy supply disruptions arising from the Iran war have bolstered global demand for Chinese clean tech products. In the first four months of 2026, the country’s solar cell exports rose 43% year-on-year.
The overseas boom contrasts sharply with slowing domestic demand and a four-year low in solar additions in March. The weaker momentum is reflected in production, which fell 26% in April, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday.
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