From 1st April 2026, China’s export VAT rebate policy for photovoltaic products including wafers, cells and modules will be formally abolished. This long-anticipated policy adjustment has triggered a chain reaction within the industry: on one hand, expectations of overseas markets stockpiling goods in advance have intensified, with photovoltaic exports in the first quarter of 2026 expected to experience an ‘unseasonably busy off-season’; on the other hand, the pressure of new costs is gradually being passed along the industrial chain, forcing some photovoltaic enterprises to adjust prices to maintain reasonable profits.

Export Tax Rebate Cancellation: Industry Landscape Reshaping

For years, export tax rebates have played a vital role in bolstering the international competitiveness of China’s photovoltaic products and expanding market share. However, the persistent phenomenon of ‘increasing volume but decreasing prices’ in the photovoltaic industry in recent years has gradually exposed the flaws in the model where enterprises rely on rebates to sustain profits. Following the cancellation of export tax rebates, rising costs for some enterprises and increased pressure to pass on price increases will drive up the prices of photovoltaic panels, modules, and other equipment in the short term.

The policy’s fundamental objective is not merely to increase corporate burdens, but to compel the photovoltaic industry to shift from ‘competing on volume and price’ to ‘competing on technology and quality’. Enterprises with stronger R&D capabilities, superior product quality, and greater brand influence will possess greater resilience against risks during this round of industrial adjustment, and demonstrate greater long-term development potential.

Short-Term Window and Market Reaction

The policy’s approximately three-month transition period has triggered a rapid short-term rush to purchase. Leading domestic photovoltaic enterprises have pre-emptively adjusted production schedules, mitigating the policy’s impact through advance stockpiling, overseas warehousing, and contract price agreements.

The combined effect of the export tax rebate cancellation and rising raw material costs is projected to cause a significant increase in procurement costs for photovoltaic panels and components by the first quarter of 2026. For domestic users and commercial projects, this signals the optimal time to procure photovoltaic systems in advance. Integrating energy storage equipment within these systems maximises self-generated electricity utilisation, reduces losses from peak-off-peak electricity price differentials, and mitigates potential future price hike risks.

Photovoltaic Panels + Energy Storage: Enhancing System Returns and Investment Value

When purchasing photovoltaic panels, price alone is insufficient – quality is paramount! Superior panels deliver high power generation efficiency, robust stability, and extended longevity, ensuring more cost-effective investment returns over time. Highjoule(HJ Group)’s photovoltaic panels utilise high-efficiency cells that withstand high temperatures, resist wind and sand, and prevent corrosion, ensuring steady power generation regardless of weather conditions.

Combined with an energy storage system, the advantages become even more pronounced: surplus daytime electricity is stored for evening use; power outages or grid fluctuations pose no concern, as the intelligent management system (EMS) optimises electricity consumption, enables remote monitoring, and analyses data. Capacity can be scaled according to demand, making it suitable for both residential and commercial applications.

With rising panel prices and the abolition of export rebates, purchasing high-efficiency panels with storage now not only saves on electricity bills but also ensures your photovoltaic system retains greater and more stable value.

Policy-driven upgrades: opportunity and action go hand in hand

The removal of export rebates and anticipated overseas price increases will accelerate the survival of the fittest within the photovoltaic industry. Leading enterprises, leveraging technological and brand advantages, will gain stronger market bargaining power, while small and medium-sized enterprises may face cost pressures and market squeeze. For domestic and commercial users, pre-purchasing photovoltaic panels alongside energy storage systems will maximise returns over the coming years.

Hui Jue Energy Storage Equipment’s advantages make it an ideal choice for navigating investment uncertainties under new policies: high-efficiency storage, intelligent management, and reliable safety ensure maximised value from photovoltaic investments while maintaining stable returns amid future electricity price and policy fluctuations.

Act now

With the cancellation of export tax rebates and rising costs for solar panels and components becoming increasingly evident, now is the optimal time to consider solar storage and plan your photovoltaic system in advance. Highjoule(HJ Group) Energy Storage provides integrated solutions for residential and commercial PV systems, helping you secure returns and increase self-consumption rates.

We welcome you to contact us at any time to learn about the product advantages and customised solutions of Highjoule(HJ Group) Energy Storage systems, making your solar investment safer, more efficient, and more valuable.