The abolition of the tax rebate policy is reshaping the photovoltaic industry—how can companies buck the trend and forge ahead?

Introduction

The joint announcement issued by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration has sent ripples through the photovoltaic industry, much like a stone dropped into a tranquil lake: Effective April 1, 2026, export tax rebates for photovoltaic and other products will be completely phased out, and the rebate rate for battery products will also be gradually reduced to zero.

This policy directly affects companies in the industry that have historically relied on export tax rebates to gain a price advantage and expand into international markets. Following the policy adjustment, export costs are expected to rise by approximately 5–9%, placing immediate pressure on conventional photovoltaic module manufacturers, whose profit margins are already generally thin.

On the one hand, tightening policies are imposing cost pressures on the overseas expansion of traditional photovoltaic products; on the other, the green‑building boom is driving an energy revolution in construction materials. Cadmium telluride photovoltaic glass Standing at the unique cusp where two worlds converge.

 

 

 

Policy Analysis

 

 

A watershed moment for the photovoltaic industry

 

 

 

From a policy perspective, starting April 1, 2026, photovoltaic products will no longer be eligible for the value-added tax export rebate. This policy adjustment sends a clear signal. Over more than a decade of rapid growth, China’s photovoltaic industry has become a global leader in both manufacturing and application, with its export volume ranking first worldwide for many consecutive years.

For traditional photovoltaic companies that rely on export markets and operate with low profit margins, This policy will directly increase export costs and squeeze corporate profit margins, signaling the end of an era when companies relied on export tax rebates to offset their earnings. 。

This policy adjustment marks a shift in the industry from a phase of scale expansion to one of high-quality development, encouraging enterprises. Shifting from price‑only competition to a focus on technological innovation and brand building.

 

 

Industry disruption

 

 

A pivotal moment in the transition of traditional photovoltaics

 

 

 

 

This policy adjustment marks The industry will transition from a phase of scale expansion to one of high-quality development, with enterprises encouraged to shift from mere price competition toward technological innovation and brand building.

 

This shift places greater survival pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises that lack core technologies and rely solely on price competition, while leading firms with technological advantages, strong brand recognition, and economies of scale may mitigate some of the impact through cost control and product upgrades, thereby fostering long-term growth.

 

The policy adjustments also reflect the Chinese government’s new vision for the development of the photovoltaic industry. As the country advances its “dual carbon” goals and accelerates its energy transition, The policy focus is shifting from encouraging exports to promoting high-quality applications both domestically and internationally. 。

 

Especially in Distributed photovoltaics and building-integrated photovoltaics and other fields, Policy support continues to be strengthened. , opening up new growth opportunities for the photovoltaic industry.

 

 

Multiple application scenarios

 

 

The Unique Advantages of Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaic Glass

 

 

 

 

Unlike conventional photovoltaic modules, cadmium telluride solar glass finds itself in a relatively advantageous position in this round of policy adjustments. This is largely attributable to its… Unique building material properties and Differentiated market positioning The traditional photovoltaic market has become a fiercely competitive “red ocean,” while cadmium telluride–based power-generating glass, with its unique product attributes, is opening up a series of “blue‑ocean” markets.

Cadmium telluride photovoltaic glass is essentially A high-performance building material with power-generation capabilities . Its The appearance is highly customizable, The light transmittance can be adjusted across a broad range of 0% to 60%, and the color, pattern, and dimensions can all be customized to meet architectural design requirements, seamlessly integrating with the building’s aesthetic.

Therefore, cadmium telluride photovoltaic glass can be used in Multiple application scenarios It is used directly as the building’s exterior envelope, replacing conventional materials such as glass curtain walls and skylights.

 

 

Policy support

 

 

Seize the momentum and move forward.

 

 

 

The adjustment of the export tax rebate policy has, in effect, created a fairer competitive environment for high‑tech, high‑value‑added products such as cadmium telluride photovoltaic glass. When price competition is no longer the primary strategy, technological innovation and product differentiation become the keys to helping companies stand out.

In tandem with the adjustment to export tax rebates, cadmium telluride photovoltaic glass has been included in the list issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Catalog of Technologies and Products Encouraged for Promotion and Application in the Building Materials Industry (2025 Edition) ».

This endorsement from the national-level promotion catalog provides robust policy support for the application of cadmium telluride photovoltaic glass in the construction sector. Local governments have also successively introduced… Technical guidance encouraging the adoption of photovoltaic glass 。

From a broader perspective, the development of cadmium telluride photovoltaic glass is fully aligned with the nation’s “dual carbon” strategy and the policy direction of green building.

With the full implementation of the “General Code for Building Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Utilization,” new buildings are required to meet the “high‑quality housing” standard, and the market for energy‑efficient retrofits of existing buildings is steadily expanding, thereby creating vast opportunities for the development of building‑integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technologies.

 

 

Summary

 

 

Seize the opportunity

 

 

 

 

As policies are gradually put in place, companies should redefine their role, shifting from “photovoltaic module suppliers” to “ Green building materials solutions provider “This means not only delivering high-quality products, but also providing end-to-end services that encompass design consulting, installation and construction, as well as operation and maintenance. Expand…” Diverse application scenarios It has become an inevitable path; beyond traditional commercial and public buildings, Enterprises can proactively explore the application of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in innovative sectors such as agricultural greenhouses, carports, and noise barriers, and develop customized solutions tailored to specific use cases.

 

The future of photovoltaics lies not in the crowded, red‑sea rooftop market, but in the vast, blue‑ocean realm of innovation; only technological breakthroughs tailored to diverse applications can serve as the enduring source of vitality for China’s PV industry and its enterprises.