Losses in China’s slumping solar sector narrowed in the third quarter, according to data presented by an industry group official, as the government’s war on industrial overcapacity targeted manufacturers.
The solar industry‘s capacity reached levels capable of satisfying global demand roughly twice over, according to figures from earlier this year, making it a focus of Beijing’s broader efforts to rein in industrial production this year.
Industry-wide losses narrowed by 46.7% quarter-on-quarter but still reached 6.422 billion yuan ($911.9 million) in the July-to-September period, according to a presentation by Wang Bohua, the honorary chairman of the China Photovoltaic Industry Association.
New manufacturing capacity down
Speaking at an industry event in the northwestern city of Xian on Wednesday, Wang said the construction of new manufacturing capacity was down compared to last year though he did not provide figures.
In the first 10 months of this year, output of solar cells and finished modules rose by 9.8% and 13.5% respectively, the presentation showed, but the industry scaled back polysilicon and silicon wafer output by 29.6% and 6.7%.
Wang highlighted an array of regulations passed in 2025, such as limits on the energy consumption of polysilicon plants, that he said were forcing less efficient capacity to shutter.
New government guidance aimed at expanding the use of renewables outside of the power sector would, meanwhile, support demand, he said.
An industry ministry official speaking at the same event reiterated government calls to strengthen control over manufacturing capacity and close down outdated production lines in 2026.
China’s demand could fall sharply next year, Sinolink Securities analyst Yao Yao said at the event, citing its most pessimistic scenario. New installations are expected to reach a new record high of 285 gigawatts this year and then range between 185 GW to 275 GW in 2026, he said.
A push for market-based pricing poses challenges for solar developers and could weigh on installations.
However, the chairman of leading manufacturer Longi Green Energy remained optimistic.
“Within the next five years, China’s demand will definitely break through 300 GW,” Zhong Baoshen said.
If domestic demand misses expectations, it could intensify the imperative for companies to go overseas in search of new markets.
Wang’s presentation showed that exports of finished modules, which make up the bulk of solar exports, rose 6% in the January-to-October period although the overall value of solar exports fell 13.2% on lower prices.
Reuters
