Chinese solar manufacturers exported 61.9 GW of solar modules in Q1 2025, reflecting an 8% year-on-year (YoY) decline compared to Q1 2024’s shipments of 67.62 GW, according to InfoLink Consulting. Africa was the only region that registered growth on an annual basis.  

In March 2025, shipments totaled 23.38 GW with a 44% month-on-month (MoM) increase, but down 5% from the 24.51 GW shipped in March 2024. The top 5 countries of Pakistan, the Netherlands, India, Brazil, and France accounted for close to 41% of the global market during the reporting month.

InfoLink’s assessment of the decline in Chinese exports is that the oversupply situation still persists in the market; hence, manufacturers continue to adjust their utilization rate while focusing on high-quality development. Additionally, China’s upcoming market-oriented reforms played a role since the manufacturers prioritized supply to the domestic market before the June 1, 2025 deadline.  

With this rush expected to be over by the end of this month, Chinese solar module export volumes will likely grow in Q2 and onward, but it remains to be seen if these can match 2024 results. InfoLink analysts list overseas demand and market stability as the factors to watch out for.  

In terms of markets, China exported close to 8.43 GW modules to Europe in March 2025, registering a 45% MoM increase and a 13% year-on-year (YoY) decline. The Netherlands was the ‘largest gateway’ to Europe, followed by France. For Q1 2025, the 21.53 GW exports to the European market went down by 9% YoY.  

Around 8.92 GW of modules were shipped to the Asia Pacific region with a 43% MoM and a 7% YoY increase in March. Pakistan led from the front with approximately 3.46 GW, accounting for 39% of the total import volume. India was next with 1.31 GW capacity. In Q1 2025, Chinese exports to this market totaled 23.88 GW, down 4% on a YoY basis.  

There was a 1% MoM and a 6% YoY decrease in Chinese exports to the Americas in March, totaling 2.32 GW, led by Brazil, followed by Colombia. For Q1 2025, Chinese exports of about 8.36 GW to this market represented a 7% annual decline.

With close to 2.4 GW of solar module shipments to the Middle East in March, Chinese exports went up by 82% MoM, but dropped 22% YoY. Saudi Arabia was the largest buyer, yet there was a 53% YoY decline in volumes. The UAE market accounted for 31% of the total shipments. During Q1 2025, there was a 38% YoY decline in Chinese exports of about 4.9 GW to this destination.

Africa was the booming market for Chinese products during March, with a 126% MoM and a 33% YoY increase in shipments of around 1.32 GW. South Africa was the largest market, followed by Morocco. For Q1 2025, 3.22 GW of solar module exports represented a 39% YoY increase.