On July 13, 2026, in response to petitions filed by U.S. companies First Solar, Inc., Hanwha Q CELLS USA Inc., Talon PV, Swift Solar, Great Lakes Solex PR, LLC, DYCM Power, LLC, Suniva Inc., and Silfab Solar Inc., the United States initiated an anti-circumvention inquiry regarding crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells (whether or not assembled into modules) originating from China. The inquiry examines whether the following two types of circumvention of U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders are occurring: (1) Chinese-origin components are used to assemble photovoltaic cells and modules in Ethiopia, which are then exported to the United States; and (2) Chinese-origin components are used to assemble photovoltaic cells in Ethiopia, which are then exported to Vietnam for module assembly before being exported to the United States. This case covers products classified under U.S. Customs codes 8501.71.0000, 8501.72.1000, 8501.72.2000, 8501.72.3000, 8501.72.9000, 8501.80.1000, 8501.80.2000, 8501.80.3000, 8501.80.9000, 8507.20.8010, 8507.20.8031, 8507.20.8041, 8507.20.8061, 8507.20.8091, 8541.42.0010, and 8541.43.0010.On November 8, 2011, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations into crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells (whether or not assembled into modules) originating from China. On October 17, 2012, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued final affirmative determinations in the anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from China. On November 1, 2017, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated the first sunset reviews of the anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from China. On March 9, 2018, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a final affirmative determination in the first countervailing duty sunset review concerning crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from China. On March 12, 2018, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a final affirmative determination in the first anti-dumping sunset review concerning crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from China. On February 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated the second sunset reviews of the anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from China. On June 6, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a final determination in the second expedited anti-dumping sunset review concerning crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from China. On June 7, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a final determination in the second expedited countervailing duty sunset review concerning crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from China.

On July 8, the Silicon Industry Branch released this week's polysilicon prices. Compared to previous periods, the rate of price decline has slowed.The transaction price range for n-type recharge material (rod silicon) was 31,000–34,000 RMB/ton, with an average transaction price of 32,700 RMB/ton, down 0.30% week-on-week. The transaction price range for n-type granular silicon was 32,000–32,000 RMB/ton, with an average transaction price of 32,000 RMB/ton, down 0.93% week-on-week.According to the Silicon Industry Branch, the polysilicon market remains sluggish due to several factors: first, industry inventories continue to accumulate at high levels, while downstream procurement is limited to essential needs with little willingness to actively restock, resulting in subdued trading activity; second, some enterprises have been forced to adjust their shipment strategies to alleviate inventory pressure, and market behavior involving price concessions to boost sales volume has exerted downward pressure on prices. Driven by the combined effect of these factors, polysilicon transaction prices continued to edge lower within a low-price range this week. However, the magnitude of the price decline showed signs of narrowing significantly; this is primarily because current prices have largely reached the cash cost range for active producers across the industry, placing significant operational pressure on companies and limiting the scope for further price reductions.

Lithium Included in Defense Stockpile for the First Time; US's Largest Lithium Mine Set to Launch—Is a Shift in Lithium Prices Coming?Critical minerals have evolved from mere commercial commodities into strategic resources, and the US strategy for stockpiling them is moving from policy planning to actual implementation.In February 2026, US President Trump announced the creation of a strategic critical mineral stockpile valued at $12 billion, aimed at boosting US industrial growth and reducing reliance on foreign trading partners. Dubbed "Project Vault," this initiative marks the first-ever critical mineral stockpile in US history, with Trump likening it to the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve.Trump emphasized that the stockpile's purpose is to foster industrial development; the US government has taken steps to ensure domestic access to all essential critical minerals and rare earths, highlighting investments in mining projects and the acceleration of federal permitting processes.In fact, lithium is not the first new-energy metal the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has planned to acquire for strategic stockpiling. On August 19, 2025, the DLA announced plans to purchase 7,480 tons of cobalt; however, as cobalt prices surged 56% over the following two months and bidding companies could not commit to fixed prices for the next five years, the DLA was forced to cancel the cobalt procurement plan in October.Regarding lithium, the DLA had already issued a request for information in March concerning the potential purchase of 550 tons of lithium carbonate. Lithium's inclusion in the defense stockpile is inextricably linked to its strategic importance in the defense and energy sectors. From F-35 fighter jets to advanced chips, and from electric vehicles to grid-scale energy storage, lithium serves as a foundational material underpinning modern military and energy systems.After initiating plans to purchase lithium carbonate in March and conducting assessments throughout the second quarter, the DLA revised its strategy to a five-year plan to acquire 16,170 tons—a significant increase over the initial 550-ton target. The market had not anticipated US defense stockpiling of this nature; this move underscores the value of lithium carbonate as both a strategic and combat-readiness reserve. Regarding the market impact of the U.S. Department of Defense's lithium carbonate stockpile procurement plan: in terms of volume, the maximum amount is approximately 16,200 tons of lithium carbonate over five years—averaging about 3,200 tons of LCE (Lithium Carbonate Equivalent) annually—which breaks down to a monthly volume of just 200–300 tons. This scale is modest within the context of global lithium salt consumption and is significantly smaller than the market impact caused by demand fluctuations in the new energy vehicle and energy storage sectors.The author argues that this procurement should not be viewed as a source of incremental dem...

On June 30, Reuters reported that the Trump administration is drafting a ban on the import of foreign inverters—devices used to connect solar projects and batteries to the power grid—amid concerns that China could use them to disrupt the power supply.

The EuroCZFactory project, part of the European Commission’s Horizon Europe program, was recently launched with the aim of bolstering manufacturing capacity in key segments of Europe's photovoltaic (PV) supply chain.   Partners of the EuroCZFactory project held a two-day kick-off meeting on June 23–24, 2026, in Trondheim, Norway, hosted by SINTEF (the Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research). The meeting brought together 16 partners from across Europe’s solar PV manufacturing, research, and innovation sectors to agree on the project's technical roadmap and initial implementation steps.   The project focuses on two core raw materials for PV cells: silicon ingots and wafers. Despite the continued expansion of installed PV capacity in Europe, there has long been a significant gap in local production capacity for silicon wafers and ingots.   Spanning 42 months, the project will see a joint R&D team tackle the full suite of process technologies required for the localized mass production of Czochralski (CZ) monocrystalline silicon ingots and wafers. Research activities will cover the optimization of silicon crystal growth and wafer slicing processes, the establishment of digital smart manufacturing lines, and the creation of a pilot production line using full-scale manufacturing equipment to validate the technology in a real-world setting.   Advancing technology in the upstream PV manufacturing sector is the core objective of EuroCZFactory; the project aims to build up Europe's autonomous core PV manufacturing technologies, narrow the local supply chain capacity gap, and provide technical support for future European PV industry support initiatives.   During the kick-off meeting, partners presented the project's core technology R&D areas, organizational structure, and coordination mechanisms. A consensus was reached that EuroCZFactory must align with various European PV industry support programs to collaboratively strengthen the local PV manufacturing ecosystem.   Moving forward, SolarPower Europe will lead efforts regarding the dissemination of project results, the commercialization of technology, and external communications, while also playing a key role in several strategic tasks.   In the project's initial phase, SolarPower Europe will coordinate engagement with supply chain companies, investment institutions, policymakers, local governments, and ESG experts. They will identify the pain points hindering the expansion of European silicon ingot and wafer production capacity, including technical bottlenecks, funding gaps, and regulatory barriers. The team will comprehensively map out various EU and local funding channels—including the EU Innovation Fund, Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), and dedicated regional investment pathways—to support the expansion of local manufacturing.   In the initial phase, the project will focus on establishing the ...

While unveiling the national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year, Bangladesh announced a major policy that has sent shockwaves through the global photovoltaic (PV) industry: import duties, regulatory duties, supplementary duties, and advance taxes on core solar equipment have all been reduced to 0%.   01 Elimination of Four Import Taxes Across All PV & Energy Storage Categories Previously, the aggregate tax rate for importing PV equipment into Bangladesh ranged from 26.2% to 58.6%. Now, tariffs, regulatory duties, supplementary duties, and advance taxes on over ten categories of key products—including PV modules, inverters, and mounting structures—have been cut to 0%, effective until June 30, 2031. According to the announcement read in parliament by the Finance Minister, equipment benefiting from these duty and tax exemptions includes: solar PV modules/panels, solar inverters, mounting structures, lithium cells, lithium-ion batteries, battery pack housings, battery energy storage systems (BESS), battery management systems (BMS), UV-protected solar DC cables, and battery thermal management systems. Previously, aggregate import tax rates for PV equipment in Bangladesh remained high. Industry data shows the following comparison between original aggregate rates and the rates under the new policy: Product Categories Original aggregate rate New rate Solar Panel 22% 0% Solar inverters 37% 0% PV mounting structures Up to 58.6% 0%   This tax exemption policy is expected to significantly lower the cost of constructing power plants. Estimates suggest that the construction cost of a 1 MW rooftop solar power plant could drop by 25%–30%. 02 Underlying Drivers of the Policy   02 Underlying Drivers for the Policy Rollout Bangladesh’s introduction of a "zero-tax" policy for photovoltaics (PV) is driven by clear strategic considerations: 1. Meeting EU Export Compliance Needs: Ready-made garment exports are a pillar of Bangladesh's economy. The EU’s CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) requires the relevant supply chain to meet green compliance standards. Previously, high import duties made the cost of PV retrofitting prohibitively expensive, resulting in very low willingness among enterprises to adopt green upgrades. The new policy significantly reduces costs, aligning with export compliance requirements. 2. Alleviating Energy-Related Foreign Exchange Pressure: Bangladesh’s energy mix is ​​dominated by natural gas, with a heavy reliance on fossil fuel imports. Recent fluctuations in energy supply, natural gas shortages, and the shutdown of certain coal-fired power plants have forced the country to import high-priced electricity from neighbors, placing immense strain on foreign exchange reserves. Widespread PV adoption can reduce foreign currency expenditure on fossil fuel procurement. 3. Fulfilling Prior Policy Commitments: Bangladesh’s Power Minister had previously signaled plan...

The capital frenzy sparked by SpaceX’s IPO has clearly revealed that the U.S.-China space-based solar power race is accelerating from the technology validation phase toward industrial implementation. However, constrained by costs and geopolitical dynamics, it is unlikely to independently reshape the global energy landscape in the short term; rather, it serves primarily as a strategic supplementary option for the future.I. SpaceX’s IPO: The Key Event That Sparked the Capital Frenzy1. The Largest IPO in History Listed on NasdaqOn June 12, 2026, SpaceX went public on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol SPCX.The offering price was set at $135 per share, raising a total of $75 billion—a new record for IPO fundraising in global capital markets.On its first day of trading, the stock price surged 19.23%, with the closing market capitalization exceeding $2.1 trillion.2. Investment Priorities and Core BusinessesThe proceeds will be primarily invested in four key areas: the Starlink low-Earth orbit satellite constellation, mass production of Starship reusable rockets, a space-based AI computing network, and space-based solar power.SpaceX has announced its long-term strategy: to launch Starlink satellites in large numbers over the next decade, deploy in-orbit solar power stations, and elevate space-based solar power to a core business segment of the group.3. The Chinese Factor in the Supply ChainFrom gallium to polysilicon, and from photovoltaic materials to key manufacturing processes, China controls the world’s core production capacity.China’s export controls on strategic materials such as gallium and germanium have significantly raised overseas refining costs and procurement barriers.SpaceX’s large-scale construction of orbital infrastructure requires vast amounts of critical raw materials, and its supply chain is highly dependent on China.II. Space PV: The Core Battleground of the U.S.-China Competition1. Unique Advantages of Space PVThe space environment is free from cloud cover and atmospheric obstruction, providing uninterrupted sunlight; theoretical power generation efficiency can reach more than five times that of ground-based PV.The vacuum of space provides natural cooling conditions, which are conducive to the operation of high-energy-consumption facilities such as AI data centers.Solar panels can be folded for launch and deployed in orbit, allowing for flexible expansion of surface area and offering exceptional adaptability.2. Technology Pathways: The Evolution from Crystalline Silicon to PerovskiteTraditional crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels are heavy and have relatively weak radiation resistance, making them unsuitable for the harsh conditions of satellite launches.Flexible perovskite photovoltaics are thin, rollable, and feature high photovoltaic conversion efficiency; they are widely recognized as the mainstream technology path for space photovoltaics.P-type HJT (heterojunction) is regarded as the preferr...

The global solar energy storage market is growing rapidly, but the expansion is no longer balanced across all regions. Different markets are showing clear differences in policy support, grid infrastructure, electricity demand, solar resources, investment models, and project development speed.In 2025, the global PV and energy storage industry is moving into a more segmented stage. Mature markets such as Europe, China, and the United States are focusing more on grid optimization, energy storage deployment, and business model upgrades. At the same time, emerging solar markets in India, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia are becoming the new growth engines for global solar PV and battery energy storage systems.For solar companies, energy storage suppliers, EPC contractors, distributors, and renewable energy investors, understanding these regional differences is becoming more important than ever.一、Europe Solar Market: Slower Growth and Rising Grid ChallengesEurope has long been one of the world’s leading solar PV markets. However, the European solar market is now facing a turning point.According to industry forecasts, the European Union is expected to add around 65.1GW of new solar PV capacity in 2025, slightly lower than 65.6GW in 2024. This would mark the first annual decline in EU solar installations in nearly ten years.One of the main reasons is the slowdown in the residential rooftop solar market. As household solar subsidies are gradually reduced or removed in several European countries, residential solar installations are facing pressure. Although utility-scale solar projects continue to grow, they are not enough to fully offset the weakness in the rooftop solar segment.At the same time, Europe is facing several structural challenges: Grid congestion Negative electricity prices Lower feed-in tariffs Slow electrification progress Long project approval timelines Insufficient energy storage capacity Increasing solar curtailment risk These issues are making new solar investments more complex, especially for large-scale solar power plants.二、Why Battery Energy Storage Is Becoming Essential in EuropeThe biggest challenge for Europe is no longer solar power generation itself, but how to absorb, store, and use renewable electricity efficiently.As solar penetration increases, the demand for battery energy storage systems, also known as BESS, is rising quickly. Energy storage can help reduce grid congestion, improve renewable energy utilization, stabilize electricity prices, and support peak shaving.In 2024, the EU installed about 18.5GWh of battery storage systems, bringing total installed battery storage capacity to around 49.1GWh. In 2025, new battery energy storage installations are expected to grow by nearly 40%, reaching approximately 25.7GWh.This shows that Europe’s solar market is shifting from a pure PV installation market to a PV-plus-storage market. For BESS manufacturers, hybrid inverter suppliers, lithium batt...

Hungary’s largest battery energy storage project, developed by Greenvolt Power, recently began operations. BYD Energy Storage supplied a 288.6 MWh Cube battery energy storage system for the project. András Tóth, Hungary’s State Secretary for Energy, and others attended the commissioning ceremony.   With a capacity of 99.8 MW/288.6 MWh, the project will significantly enhance the local grid’s regulation capabilities and power supply reliability upon commissioning. It will facilitate the large-scale grid integration of renewable energy in Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe, accelerating the green transition of the local energy structure.   The BYD Cube Energy Storage System features high safety, ultra-high integration, and rapid response capabilities, enabling it to meet diverse application needs such as grid frequency regulation and peak shaving. Leveraging its technical expertise in battery and system integration, BYD Energy Storage has supported this project with leading, high-quality energy storage products and technical services, helping it become a benchmark energy storage project in Europe.   To date, BYD Energy Storage has implemented numerous large-scale energy storage projects in over 110 countries and regions worldwide. As European nations accelerate their energy transitions, the critical role of energy storage systems in power grids is becoming increasingly prominent. BYD Energy Storage will continue to provide safe and efficient products and solutions to global customers, contributing to the global goal of carbon neutrality.

Against the backdrop of adjustments to Europe’s renewable energy supply chain, the importance of global industrial cooperation is becoming increasingly evident   Key Policy: Starting in May 2026, the EU’s new “supply chain de-risking” financing regulations for renewable energy projects will officially take effect. Under these regulations, EU public financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will cease providing loans, financing, and public subsidies to any new renewable energy projects that use inverters or energy storage PCS (power conversion systems) from specific “high-risk suppliers.”   Policy Scope: Financial Restrictions, Not a Comprehensive Ban. It is important to clarify that this policy constitutes a “financing restriction” rather than a “blanket import ban.” Privately funded or purely commercial projects utilizing Chinese equipment may still proceed normally and in compliance with regulations. However, since approximately 20% of large-scale ground-mounted power plants and public energy storage projects in Europe rely heavily on EU public funding, these projects will be forced to adjust their supply chains.   As one of the world’s largest markets for solar and energy storage, Europe is actively advancing its energy transition and carbon neutrality goals. However, industry organizations generally believe that balancing supply chain security with industrial development efficiency, project economic viability, and the pace of the energy transition will be a critical challenge for the European market in the coming years.   Over the past decade, the global new energy industry chain has gradually developed a highly specialized division of labor. Through continuous innovation, large-scale manufacturing, and a well-established supply chain system, Chinese enterprises have made significant contributions to the global PV and energy storage industries. Currently, Chinese-made inverters, energy storage systems, and PV modules are widely used in many countries and regions around the world, playing a positive role in reducing the cost of clean energy and improving energy accessibility.   Faced with the growing demand for global energy transition, the interconnections between national markets are tighter than ever before. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has repeatedly emphasized that achieving global climate goals requires a more open, efficient, and stable international supply chain system. For the new energy sector, technological innovation, industrial synergy, and cross-regional cooperation remain the key drivers of green development. The current international landscape is complex and volatile, with factors such as geopolitics, energy security, and economic development profoundly influencing the global industrial landscape.    However, regardless of how market...