China’s solar PV module exports reach 21 GW in April; only Europe posts MoM growth

InfoLink’s customs data shows that China exported about 21.39 GW of PV modules in April 2025, down nearly 9% MoM but up 2% YoY from 20.93 GW. As of the end of April 2025, China's total module exports reached 83.29 GW, down 6% YoY from 88.55 GW.

In April 2025, the top five single-country markets importing Chinese modules were, in order, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and France, together accounting for 41% of the global total during this period. Regionally, while Europe posted MoM growth in module imports, the Asia-Pacific, Americas, Middle East, and Africa all experienced varying degrees of decline. Comparing import momentum from January to April 2025 with the same period last year, only Africa showed a significant growth of nearly 50%. The Asia-Pacific market remained flat YoY, while Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East recorded negative growth.


 

Europe

Europe imported 9.39 GW of Chinese modules in April 2025, up 11% MoM but down 9% YoY from 10.32 GW. From January to April 2025, total imports from China reached 30.92 GW, down 9% YoY from 34.02 GW.

Excluding the Netherlands, Europe's largest shipping hub, Spain ranked second among individual countries for Chinese module imports in April 2025, receiving 0.89 GW, down 21% YoY from 1.12 GW, making up 10% of Europe’s total imports, trailing only the Netherlands’ 38% share. For shipments from January to April 2025, Spain also ranked second with 2.92 GW, down 19% YoY from 3.63 GW.


 

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific imported 6.72 GW of Chinese modules in April 2025, down 25% MoM but up 26% YoY from 5.33 GW. From January to April 2025, total imports from China reached 30.6 GW, up 2% YoY from 30.07 GW.

Pakistan led the Asia-Pacific market in Chinese module imports in April 2025, reaching 2.56 GW, up 24% YoY from 2.06 GW, making up 38% of the regional total. Australia ranked second with 0.6 GW, 9% of the regional total. Pakistan also led imports from January to April 2025 with 9.9 GW, up 5% YoY from 9.41 GW.

Notably, India’s imports were impacted by the fiscal year-end in early April 2025, dropping 67% MoM to 0.43 GW. However, India remained the second-largest importer in the Asia-Pacific region from January to April 2025, with a total of 7.18 GW.


 

Americas

The Americas imported 1.83 GW of modules from China in April, down 21% MoM and 20% YoY from 2.29 GW. From January to April, cumulative module shipments to the Americas reached 10.2 GW, down 10% YoY from 11.29 GW.

Brazil still accounted for the largest single-country share of Chinese module imports in the Americas in April, with 0.72 GW imported in total, down 57% YoY from 1.67 GW. This volume represented 39% of the region's total, followed by Colombia with 0.22 GW (12%). Brazil topped cumulative shipment volumes again in January-April, importing 5.18 GW, down 37% YoY from 8.24 GW.


 

The Middle East and Africa

The Middle East imported 0.95 GW of modules from China in April, up 16% MoM and down 31% YoY from 1.37 GW. From January to April, cumulative Chinese module shipments to the Middle East totaled 7.18 GW, down 29% YoY from 10.18 GW.

Saudi Arabia imported 0.95 GW of Chinese modules in April, down 31% YoY from 1.37 GW, accounting for the largest single-country share (42%) in the Middle East. The UAE ranked second with 0.6 GW, representing 26% of the regional total. Saudi Arabia led cumulative shipments in January-April, with 2.78 GW imported, down 51% YoY from 5.71 GW.


 

Africa imported 1.17 GW of modules from China in April, down 11% MoM and up 70% YoY from 0.69 GW. From January to April, cumulative Chinese module shipments to Africa totaled 4.39 GW, up 46% YoY from 3 GW.

Among African countries, South Africa accounted for the largest single-country share, importing 0.21 GW of Chinese modules in April, down 28% YoY from 0.29 GW. This made up 18% of Africa’s total, lower than 31% in March, showing weaker monthly demand in South Africa and growing demand in other African countries. Algeria ranked second with 0.18 GW, accounting for 15%. From January to April, South Africa led cumulative shipments with 1.12 GW, up 30% YoY from 0.86 GW.


 

From January to April, some non-China markets saw lower imports due to the off-season and the fiscal year ending. China’s Notice on Deepening the Market-Oriented Reform of New Energy On-Grid Electricity Prices to Promote High-Quality Development of New Energy in early 2025 also pushed module manufacturers to prioritize Chinese orders, delaying some low-price exports and reducing supply in non-China markets. After the implementation of the policy, Chinese manufacturers started looking for overseas orders in April and May. If demand improves, Q2 exports from China may rise from Q1. But whether there will be growth compared to last year depends on how fast non-China demand recovers and the stability of the market.