China exported about 155 GW of solar modules in 2022

Summary

In 2022, China exported approximately 155 GW of solar modules, with a significant increase in demand from the EU, which became the largest importer, and substantial shipments to Brazil and the Asia-Pacific region.

Abstract

China's solar module exports soared to a record 155 GW in 2022, as reported by InfoLink Consulting. The European Union saw a 112% rise in demand compared to the previous year, importing 86.6 GW and surpassing the total capacity of solar power plants commissioned in Europe during the same period. Gessey PV Consulting noted that over 60 GW were shipped to Europe in the first eight months alone. The Asia-Pacific region imported 28.5 GW, with Japan and Australia being notable markets. India was the largest market in the region during the first quarter but saw a sharp decline due to the introduction of a 40% customs duty. Brazil set a record with a 58% increase in imports from China, securing second place globally behind the Netherlands, which is Europe's logistics hub. Despite efforts by India, the US, and the EU to reduce dependence on Chinese PV products, China's dominance in the solar industry, producing the majority of key components, continues to drive sales growth.

Opinions

The data suggests that China's dominance in the global solar module market is substantial and growing.
The European Union's significant increase in solar module imports from China indicates a strong commitment to renewable energy transition within the region.
India's introduction of a 40% customs duty on Chinese modules suggests a strategic move to promote local manufacturing, despite the immediate impact on module availability and prices.
Brazil's record-breaking imports highlight the country's growing investment in solar energy and its reliance on Chinese products for this sector.
Despite political and economic efforts to diversify the solar supply chain, the global market remains heavily dependent on China's production of polysilicon, wafers, cells, and modules.

China exported about 155 GW of solar modules in 2022

Accoring to the latest findings from Taiwanese-based InfoLink Consulting, China’s solar module exports reached a record high in 2022.

Demand for modules in the EU is up 112% compared to 2021. Europe bought 86.6 GW, becoming the largest importer of Chinese solar panels. Remarkably, this is more than twice as much as the capacity of solar power plants commissioned on the European continent in 2022.

Gessey PV Consulting, another Chinese PV market research company, previously reported that Chinese module manufacturers shipped more than 60 GW of solar modules to Europe in the first 8 months of 2022.

28.5 GW of Chinese solar modules were sent to the Asia-Pacific region. Japan’s imports were up 17% to 6.9 GW, while shipments to Australia were 4.9 GW, down 5% from 2021. The Asia-Pacific region’s largest market was India, which bought about 9 GW, but almost the entire volume fell on the first quarter. With the introduction of a 40% “base customs duty (BCD)” sales of Chinese modules in the country collapsed.

Brazil purchased a record volume of solar panels from China — 17.9 GW. This is 58% more than in 2021. In this indicator, Brazil was second only to the Netherlands, the logistics hub of Europe, which accounted for 12% of the total exports of Chinese modules.

It was previously reported that global sales of solar panels in 2022 far exceeded 300 GW (including domestic sales in China).

China dominates the solar industry, which has been repeatedly noted. According to PV Tech, it produces 90% polysilicon, 99% wafers, 91% c-Si cells, and 85% c-Si modules.

India, the US, and the EU are all trying to overcome dependence on Chinese PV products, but so far, as we see, sales of modules from China are only growing.