China Publishes Tougher Solar and Polysilicon Energy-Efficiency Standards

On July 22, China published the detailed rules for three mandatory national standards covering energy consumption limits for polysilicon and germanium unit products, energy-efficiency limits and grades for crystalline silicon PV modules and inverters, and energy consumption limits for monocrystalline silicon unit products, with implementation set for January 1, 2027. Jiemian News reported that Huatai Securities said the energy-efficiency requirements for polysilicon were stricter than expected, with the grade-3 standard tightened versus the September 16, 2025 draft. Huatai Securities said the mandatory standards will raise entry barriers across polysilicon, wafers, cells and modules, and reaffirmed its view that solar demand-side pressure may ease in the second half of 2026 while the new standards could speed supply-side consolidation in 2027.