The Standardization Administration of China (SAC) has updated energy consumption standards for solar PV products, introducing technology-specific limits for polysilicon and silicon production while setting new efficiency grades for PV modules and inverters.
In a public consultation launched for the 3 mandatory national standards, SAC differentiates energy limits based on polysilicon production technology and defines consumption thresholds for monocrystalline silicon processes.
Norm of Energy Consumption per unit Production of Polysilicon and Germanium
The current standard (GB 29447-2022, effective since January 2024) classifies polysilicon energy consumption per unit as: Grade 1 ≤7.5 kgce/kg, Grade 2 ≤8.5 kgce/kg, Grade 3 ≤10.5 kgce/kg. The draft revision introduces classification by production technology: for trichlorosilane-based polysilicon, Grades 1–3 are set at 5 kgce/kg, 5.5 kgce/kg, and 6.4 kgce/kg, respectively; for silane fluidized bed polysilicon, the limits are 3.6 kgce/kg, 4 kgce/kg, and 5 kgce/kg.
Norm of Energy Consumption per unit Production of Mono-crystalline Silicon
For the first time, energy consumption levels are defined for Czochralski pulling, ingot casting, and wafer products. The comprehensive energy consumption per unit is capped at 2.27 kgce/kg, 2.37 kgce/kg, and 2.76 kgce/kg for Grades 1–3, respectively. For slicing, based on 182 mm × 210 mm wafers, the energy consumption limits are 6,760 kgce, 7,370 kgce, and 9,590 kgce per million wafers for Grades 1–3.
Minimum Allowable Values of Energy Efficiency and Energy Efficiency Grades for Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules and Photovoltaic Inverters
For the first time, efficiency thresholds are defined for crystalline silicon modules and inverters. Grade 1 requires conversion efficiencies of no less than 23.6% for TOPCon, 23.9% for HJT, and 24.8% for BC modules. Grade 2 thresholds are 23.2%, 23.3%, and 24.3%, while Grade 3 levels are 22.4%, 22.5%, and 23.3%, respectively. The draft also sets bifaciality requirements: ≥75% for TOPCon, ≥85% for HJT, and ≥70% for BC modules. For inverters, depending on capacity, Grade 1 weighted average efficiency ranges from 98.15% to 98.58%, Grade 2 from 98.05% to 98.48%, and Grade 3 from 97.95% to 98.38%.
Previously, in February 2025, in its China PV Industry Development Roadmap 2024–2025, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) noted that in 2024, trichlorosilane-based polysilicon averaged 7.4 kgce/kg-Si, and is projected to fall to 6.5 kgce/kg-Si by 2030. In 2024, average electricity consumption for Czochralski pulling was 22.3 kWh/kg-Si, while wafer slicing consumed about 79,000 kWh per million wafers.
The updated standards appear aimed at removing outdated production capacity in the Chinese solar market to help the country’s PV industry advance technologically and reduce overcapacity that has been squeezing manufacturers’ profit margins. This seems to align with the government’s efforts to curb disorderly competition and phase out outdated facilities, fostering a fairer market environment (see China Steps Up Efforts To Curb Price Wars In Solar Industry).
Announced on September 16, 2025, the consultation period runs until November 15, 2025.
On a related note, TaiyangNews will host Solar & Sustainability Virtual Conference on October 9, 2025 to discuss ever evolving sustainability practices in the PV industry. Register free for the event here.
