China Boosts Global Solar Supply with 68 GW of PV Exports During the Hormuz Energy Crisis

Posted on : Monday , 1st June 2026

The ongoing energy disruption surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is already influencing global energy markets. In March, China exported a record 68 GW of solar PV modules—more than double its February shipments and the highest monthly total ever recorded. To put this into perspective, a single month of Chinese solar exports matched the entire installed solar capacity of Spain, one of Europe's leading solar power markets.
 

Of the 68 GW exported, around 10 GW was shipped to Africa, while Asia accounted for 39 GW, setting new monthly records for both regions. Several countries experienced sharp increases in solar PV imports from China, with Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Malaysia among the fastest-growing markets. Nigeria recorded the most dramatic rise, with imports surging by 519% compared with the previous month. In terms of total volume, India remained the largest importer, receiving approximately 6.6 GW of solar PV modules from China.
 

Overall, 50 countries registered their highest-ever monthly imports of solar panels from China in March, highlighting the accelerating global adoption of solar energy. At the same time, China's battery exports also climbed significantly, reflecting the growing demand for integrated solar-and-storage solutions that can deliver reliable electricity around the clock.
 

The energy crisis has placed considerable strain on several economies worldwide. In Kenya, rising fuel costs have triggered widespread protests over the past week, with clashes on Monday reportedly resulting in four fatalities and around 30 injuries, while hundreds of people were detained. The situation was further compounded when public transport workers staged a strike over the weekend, disrupting travel for many commuters, although services have since resumed on a temporary basis.
 

Within China, the rapid expansion of solar installations has begun to moderate as government incentives are gradually reduced and authorities focus more closely on maintaining grid reliability. Despite this slowdown, the country continues to add substantial new capacity from projects already under development. As a result, China's installed solar capacity grew by 26.6% year-on-year during the January–April period, reaching an impressive 1.25 terawatts.
 

According to reports from China Daily, major Chinese energy companies are accelerating their transition beyond traditional fossil fuels. Industry leaders such as Sinopec are expanding investments in hydrogen, solar, and wind energy as part of broader efforts to diversify their energy portfolios and support China's clean energy ambitions.