BUSINESS

Phl now China’s largest market for solar panels

Kate Villar · Jul 13, 2026, 11:36 PM

Fueled by high residential electricity rates in Southeast Asia, the Philippines has emerged as China's largest single overseas market for solar panels. Imports of Chinese modules spiked dramatically to over $500 million, with millions of panels shipped directly to local consumers and businesses seeking to bypass high-priced local middlemen. — PHOTOGRAPH courtesy of jmhpower

The Philippines becomes China’s single-biggest overseas market for solar panels in 2026, featuring a cutting-edge panel and battery technology from one of the world’s top solar manufacturers, Jinko Solar.

Economies across Asia have been affected by rising utility bills in the previous months since the Middle East conflict, prompting people to look for an alternative energy supply.

Growing market

In Davao, Beijing's solar producers have found a growing market amid the continuous rise in electricity bills, even surpassing Pakistan.

Alongside this, China is recognized as the world’s most inexpensive and most advanced solar technology, producing about 80 per cent of global supply.

Furthermore, exports to the country more than doubled in the first five months of 2026 compared to the last year, according to Trade Data Monitor, and in March alone, imports soared 262 percent year on year.