China's solar cell exports jumped 60% year-on-year in April, according to customs data released on Monday — a sign that overseas demand remains resilient even after Beijing scrapped its export tax rebate program for photovoltaic products on April 1, 2025.

The country shipped 1.34 billion solar cells last month, generating export revenue of $3.12 billion. The real growth in energy output terms is likely even greater, analysts note, as continuous advances in photovoltaic technology mean each new-generation cell produces more power than its predecessor.

April's figures were, however, lower than the previous month. In March, China shipped 1.71 billion cells weighing a record 1.78 million metric tonnes. April's volume came in at 1.16 million metric tonnes. The outsized March numbers are largely attributed to a front-loading effect: buyers rushed to import solar equipment ahead of the tax rebate cancellation deadline, pulling forward purchases that would otherwise have been spread across subsequent months.

The primary engines of demand remain Southeast Asia and Africa, where rapid renewable energy expansion continues to drive appetite for Chinese solar hardware.