By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer
The global energy crisis and a pending increase in export costs spurred a month-over-month doubling in March of Chinese photovoltaic (PV) solar exports to a record 68 gigawatts (GW), according to Ember, a clean energy think tank.
“The latest data shows that the regions most affected by the unfolding energy crisis have seen some of the sharpest increases in demand for solar PV,” the Ember analysis said.
Sales were also higher in the face of a change in export tax rebates starting April 1, which added 9% to solar panel costs.
The 68 GW of solar surpassed the previous record set in August 2025 by 49% and is equivalent to Spain’s entire solar capacity, Ember said.
China’s battery exports also rose 44% from February to March, reaching $10 billion, and were especially high for the European Union, Australia, and India, as countries look to store daytime solar electricity,
“Fossil shocks are boosting the solar surge,” Euan Graham, senior analyst at Ember, said in a statement. “Solar has already become the engine of the global economy, and now the current fossil fuel price shocks are taking it up a gear.”
Fifty countries set records for Chinese solar imports, and another 60 logged their highest level in six months.
Exports to Africa were up 176% compared to February 2026, reaching 10 GW in March. Exports to Asia doubled to reach 39 GW. Both were all-time records.
Africa and Asia accounted for two-thirds of the Chinese exports.
Combined, the two regions were responsible for three-quarters of the increase in Chinese solar exports.
Among the Asian countries with the biggest growth in Chinese photovoltaic imports were India, with a 141% increase equal to 6.6 GW, Malaysia at 384% equal to 1.8 GW and Lao PDR with a 108% rise equal to 2.3 GW.
In Africa, Nigeria posted a 519% increase in Chinese imports equal to 1.2 GW, and Kenyan imports more than tripled to 1.4 GW increase.
“Elsewhere, records were reached in other markets acutely affected by high oil and gas prices, including Japan, Australia, and the EU,” the Ember analysis said.
The only region not to see an increase in solar imports was the Middle East where the main shipping channel, the Strait of Hormuz, is blockaded by both Iran and the U.S.
Many countries in Asia and Africa are also moving further up the solar value chain, building their own solar manufacturing and assembly capabilities.
As a result, China’s exports of cells and wafers overtook panel exports in October 2025, as panels are increasingly assembled outside of China.
Solar panel exports in March were up 91% from February levels to reach 32 GW, while cell and wafer exports rose 108% to 36 GW.
“As the effects of high oil and gas prices ripple across global energy markets, alternatives such as solar, batteries, and EVs will be crucial in helping countries become more resilient and reduce dependence on fossil fuels,” the analysis said.
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