China’s PV module exports reach 39 GW in Jan–Feb 2025, down 11% YoY

InfoLink’s customs data shows that China exported 22.26 GW of modules in January 2025, up 2% YoY from 21.91 GW. However, exports in February dropped to 16.26 GW, down 23% YoY from 21.19 GW. China's total module exports in January and February reached 38.52 GW, down 11% YoY from 43.11 GW.

From January to February 2025, the top five markets importing Chinese modules were, in order, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Brazil, and Portugal, together accounting for 50% of the global total during this period. Regionally, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and the Middle East all saw YoY declines, with Africa being the only exception. Overall, China's module exports in January and February 2025 were significantly lower than the same period in 2024.


 

Europe

Europe imported 7.31 GW of Chinese modules in January 2025, up 22% YoY from 5.98 GW, and 5.8 GW in February, down 28% YoY from 8.05 GW. Total imports for January and February reached 13.11 GW, down 7% YoY from 14.03 GW.

Excluding the Netherlands, Europe's largest shipping hub, Portugal ranked second among individual countries for Chinese module imports from January to February 2025, receiving 1.25 GW, up 56% YoY from 0.8 GW. This accounted for 10% of Europe’s total imports, trailing only the Netherlands’ 38% share.


 

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific imported 8.74 GW of modules from China in January 2025, virtually unchanged from 8.75 GW the previous year. In February, however, imports dropped to 6.23 GW, down 19% YoY from 7.68 GW. For January and February combined, China's module exports to the Asia-Pacific totaled 14.97 GW, down 9% YoY from 16.43 GW.

India led the Asia-Pacific market in Chinese module imports for January and February 2025, reaching 5.44 GW, down 20% YoY from 6.8 GW, and making up 36% of the regional total. Pakistan ranked second with 3.88 GW, representing 26% of the regional total.


 

Americas

The Americas imported 3.71 GW of modules from China in January 2025, up 3% YoY from 3.6 GW, and 2.34 GW in February, down 20% YoY from 2.92 GW. By the end of February, cumulative module shipments to the Americas totaled 6.05 GW, down 7% YoY from 6.52 GW.

Brazil accounted for the largest share of Chinese module imports in the Americas during January and February, with 3.74 GW imported in total, down 24% YoY from 4.93 GW. This volume represented 57% of the region's total, followed by Chile with 0.83 GW (14%).


 

The Middle East and Africa

The Middle East imported 1.18 GW of modules from China in January 2025, down 60% YoY from 2.95 GW, and 1.32 GW in February, down 29% YoY from 1.85 GW. By the end of February, cumulative module shipments to the Middle East totaled 2.49 GW, down 48% YoY from 4.8 GW. The Middle East was the only region to see module import growth in February compared to January, rising by 12%.

Saudi Arabia imported 1.02 GW of Chinese modules during January and February, down 61% YoY from 2.61 GWand accounting for the largest share (41%) in the region. The UAE ranked second with 0.61 GW, representing 24% of the regional total.


 

Africa imported 1.32 GW of modules from China in January 2025, up 110% YoY from 0.63 GW, and 0.58 GW in February, down 16% YoY from 0.69 GW. By the end of February, cumulative module shipments reached 1.9 GW, up 44% YoY from 1.32 GW.

Among African countries, South Africa imported 0.49 GW of Chinese modules during January and February, up 63% YoY from 0.3 GW, accounting for the largest regional share (26%) . Algeria ranked second with 21%, importing 0.4 GW.


 

Global PV market trends, January–February 2025:

China’s module exports were lower compared to the same period in 2024, particularly with a significant YoY drop in February. InfoLink’s research indicates that Chinese module makers have adjusted their strategies following the issuance of the Notice on Deepening the Market-Oriented Reform of New Energy On-Grid Electricity Prices to Promote High-Quality Development of New Energy. They are focusing more on domestic demand and delaying low-priced non-China orders. As a result, top manufacturers shipped 40–45% of their Q1 volumes to the Chinese market, reducing availability to non-China markets.

China’s module exports may decline further in March and April, weakening overall overseas procurement momentum in the first half of 2025. This has caused a slight short-term rebound in non-China module prices, rising from USD 0.08–0.085/W to USD 0.085–0.09/W in some regions. In a few distribution-focused markets, small volumes have even reached USD 0.1/W. In summary, the short-term impact of non-China supply shortages is expected to ease. In the second half of the year, as the industry’s focus shifts toward high-quality module development, the key factors affecting prices throughout the year will include the mismatch between supply-chain production and end-market demand. Module prices will resume a gradual downward trend during this period.