Sourcing Solar Panels from China: Wholesale Guide
China produces 80%+ of the world's solar panels. Here's what factory pricing looks like across product types, what quality certifications are non-negotiable, and how to verify efficiency claims
Sourcing Solar Panels from China: Wholesale Guide
China dominates global solar panel manufacturing. Chinese companies — LONGi, JA Solar, Trina Solar, Canadian Solar (manufactured in China), and Jinko Solar — account for roughly 80% of global solar panel supply. For importers, that means near-unlimited supply capacity and a clear cost advantage. It also means navigating a category with specific anti-dumping duties, technical certifications, and significant quality variation between tiers.
Product Types
Consumer/portable solar panels ($15–60 factory cost): Foldable panels for camping, hiking, and emergency power. 10W–200W. Monocrystalline cells with ETFE coating (better than standard polyester) on the top surface. USB-A and USB-C outputs, sometimes DC output for battery banks. This is the import-friendly segment — lower risk, faster customs, and accessible to small importers.
Rigid residential/commercial panels ($0.20–0.40/watt factory cost): Standard 60-cell or 72-cell glass-front panels. 300W–600W. This is the commodity solar market. Massive volume at very thin margins. Import logistics are complex (large, heavy, fragile panels). Dominated by large installers with established supply chains.
Flexible panels ($2–6 per unit, budget; $8–25 per unit, quality): Thin-film or flexible monocrystalline cells on polymer backing. For marine, RV, and curved-surface applications. A niche but growing category with good margin potential.
Bifacial panels ($0.22–0.45/watt): Capture sunlight from both front and back. 10–30% more energy production in the right installation conditions. Premium tier for residential and commercial installers.
For most small importers, the portable solar panel category (foldable camping panels, portable charging sets) offers the best combination of accessible MOQs, reasonable certifications, and strong retail demand.
Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties
This is the first thing to understand about importing full-size solar panels from China into the US:
The US has had active anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on Chinese crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules since 2012, repeatedly extended and expanded. Combined AD/CVD rates have varied but can reach 200%+ on some products from specific manufacturers.
In addition, Section 201 safeguard tariffs on solar cells and modules (not specifically China) were imposed in 2018 and extended through 2026, with a rate around 14.25%.
Section 301 tariffs also apply to many solar components.
The result: importing full-size crystalline silicon solar panels from China into the US faces a very high effective tariff burden. Many importers have shifted to sourcing panels from Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, or India to access lower or zero tariff rates. The US Section 201 tariffs also cover panels from these countries, but AD/CVD typically does not.
For portable camping/outdoor solar panels: These are generally smaller devices and may fall under different HTS classifications than standard residential panels. The AD/CVD orders primarily target “solar cells and modules” in the traditional utility/residential sense. Verify your specific HTS code with a customs broker before importing any solar product.
Quality Certifications (Non-Negotiable)
IEC 61215 (crystalline silicon panels): The international performance and safety standard for crystalline silicon PV modules. Required by most commercial buyers and utility projects. Test conditions include temperature cycling, humidity-freeze, UV exposure, and mechanical load. Reputable factories have this; budget factories often don’t.
IEC 61730 (safety): Addresses safety hazards from solar panels. Usually tested alongside IEC 61215.
UL 1703 or UL 61730: UL’s US standard for solar panels. Required by NEC (National Electrical Code) for US residential and commercial installations. A solar panel without UL listing cannot be legally installed in most US jurisdictions by a licensed electrician.
CE marking: Required for EU/UK sales.
IP65 or IP67 rating: For portable panels, waterproofing matters. Verify actual IP rating testing is documented.
For portable camping panels: UL 62133 (for the battery bank component if included), FCC Part 15 (for any with Bluetooth or wireless charging control), and RoHS compliance.
Cell Efficiency and How to Verify It
Factory claimed efficiency numbers for solar cells (20%, 22%, 23%) are very easy to misrepresent. Here’s how to evaluate:
Ask for the specific cell model. If a factory claims 22% efficiency monocrystalline cells, ask which cell manufacturer and model. LONGi Hi-MO series, JA Solar DeepBlue, and Trina Vertex are real products with documented efficiency curves. Generic “22% monocrystalline” from an unknown factory should be treated skeptically.
Inspect the backsheet. Good panels use a white or black backsheet rated for 25+ years of UV exposure. Cheap panels use inferior backsheets that delaminate or crack within 5 years.
Junction box quality. The junction box on the back of a panel where the cables connect is a common failure point. It should be IP65 rated, use a reputable brand (Stäubli connectors are industry standard), and seal tightly against moisture.
MOQs and Logistics
For full-size residential panels: container loads (typically 400–600 panels per 20-foot container) are the practical shipping unit. MOQ from most factories is one container. This isn’t a category for small importers.
For portable solar panels and foldable camping sets: MOQs of 100–300 units are common. Shipping by sea freight in standard cartons.
The Import Reality for Small Buyers
The residential solar panel market in the US is largely inaccessible to small importers due to AD/CVD tariffs and logistics complexity. The accessible opportunity is:
- Portable camping/outdoor solar (foldable panels, solar generators, power station kits)
- Solar charge controllers and accessories (less tariff exposure than panels themselves)
- Niche applications (solar-powered signage, solar pool pumps, solar security lights) where the panel is part of a larger product
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Chinese solar panels subject to anti-dumping duties in the US? Yes. US AD/CVD orders on Chinese crystalline silicon PV cells and modules have been in place since 2012, with combined rates that can exceed 200% for some manufacturers. This makes standard residential panels from China expensive to import. Verify your specific product’s tariff situation with a customs broker before ordering.
What is the efficiency difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells? Monocrystalline cells achieve 20–24% efficiency in commercial products. Polycrystalline cells are typically 15–18% efficient. Monocrystalline dominates the market today due to cost reductions. Polycrystalline is largely phased out in new production.
What certifications do I need for portable solar panels sold in the US? For portable camping-style panels: no single mandatory certification, but FCC Part 15B (if any electronic control circuitry), UL 62133 (if combined with a battery), and RoHS compliance documentation. For panels intended for permanent US electrical installation, UL 1703 or UL 61730 is typically required by local codes.
How do I verify solar panel wattage claims? Request a flash test report from the factory for each production batch. A flash test measures actual output under Standard Test Conditions (STC: 1000W/m², 25°C, AM 1.5 spectrum). Any reputable factory should provide flash test reports. Portable solar panels are harder to verify without specialized equipment — test with a USB power meter on a sunny day.