A four-tier minimum import price regime, downstream tariffs and onshoring incentives will take effect on December 4, 2026, widening the gap between US and Asian solar prices. On August 6, US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation setting out import adjustment measures following the Section 232 investigation into polysilicon and its derivatives. The measures will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on December 4, 2026, and cover polysilicon, silicon ingots and wafers, solar cells and modules. Unlike a conventional tariff increase, the new framework combines minimum import prices, or MIPs, with additional tariffs on downstream products and incentives for domestic investment. SMM believes the policy should not be read as a blanket 15% tariff on every product in the polysilicon value chain. Its central objective is to rebuild the US solar pricing system through a combination of price floors, cumulative tariffs and conditional relief. Low-priced imports will face a substantially greater constraint than products already trading at higher prices. The impact is also expected to move progressively through the supply chain, from polysilicon and wafers to cells and finished modules. Four price floors introduced; the 15% tariff mainly applies downstream According to the White House proclamation and its annexes, the United States has established minimum import prices of $21/kg for polysilicon, $100/kg for silicon ingots and wafers, $0.22/W for solar cells and $0.38/W for solar modules. An important distinction applies to raw polysilicon. The material is covered by the MIP program, but the 15% additional ad valorem duty set out in paragraph 4 of the proclamation applies to silicon ingots, wafers and downstream derivatives. It would therefore be inaccurate to state that every product across the polysilicon value chain is subject to a uniform additional 15% tariff. Rates also vary by origin. For products from European Union member states, Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the combined Column 1 general duty and Section 232 duty is set at 15%. Products from the United Kingdom are subject to a 10% Section 232 additional duty. Other origins are generally subject to a 15% additional duty, which may be applied alongside anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties and other applicable charges unless otherwise specified. The measures establish a new import-protection framework following the expiry of the Section 201 safeguard in February 2026. Compared with the previous safeguard, the Section 232 regime has a much broader reach. It places silicon ingots and wafers within the additional tariff framework and introduces price floors at four stages from raw material to finished module. Customs enforcement turns the MIP into a binding threshold The MIP is not simply a reference quotation. When entering goods, importers may submit documentation showing that the first arm's-length transaction price in the United States is no lower than the prescribed threshold. They may also document that the transaction is being executed under a fixed-term contract with fixed terms signed before August 6, 2026. If documentation is submitted but the entered value remains below the MIP, US Customs and Border Protection may impose a specific duty equal to the gap between the declared price and the price floor. If the required documentation is not submitted, the importer may face a specific duty equal to the full MIP. For silicon ingots, wafers, cells and modules, the relevant ad valorem tariff may then be added on top of that amount. The effective barrier could therefore be considerably higher than the headline 15%. For a module from a generally applicable origin, a first arm's-length US transaction price of $0.38/W would still need to absorb the 15% additional tariff and any other applicable duties. If the transaction price is below $0.38/W, the importer could also face a specific duty that fills the gap to the MIP. For suppliers that previously competed primarily on price, the MIP may have a greater commercial effect than the ad valorem tariff itself. The proclamation also provides for strict enforcement. Materially false supporting documents could result in the importer and its affiliates being permanently barred from importing covered products. The Department of Commerce will monitor abnormal stockpiling before December 4 and may coordinate with Customs to restrict subsequent imports where companies are found to have accelerated shipments or built excessive inventories. The nearly four-month transition period should therefore not be interpreted as an unrestricted stockbuilding window. US price floors sit far above current Asian supply-chain prices As of August 6, SMM assessed average prices for n-type recycled feedstock and n-type dense polysilicon in China at RMB 32.95/kg and RMB 32.15/kg, respectively. Both had fallen by approximately 12.7% and 13.1% from April 1. Using an exchange rate of RMB 6.7483 per US dollar, the two prices were equivalent to approximately $4.88/kg and $4.76/kg. They were 76.7% and 77.3% below the US polysilicon MIP of $21/kg. Put differently, the US price floor is approximately 4.3-4.4 times the current Chinese spot price for n-type polysilicon. The gap is even wider downstream. SMM assessed G12R TOPCon modules at a China port FOB average of $0.1055/W. The US module MIP of $0.38/W is about 3.6 times that level. SMM's China port FOB assessment for G12R TOPCon cells stood at $0.0395/W, making the US cell MIP of $0.22/W approximately 5.6 times the Chinese export price. These comparisons do not represent identical trade terms. China port FOB prices exclude ocean freight, insurance, customs clearance, distribution and financing costs incurred after the product leaves China, and they are not equivalent to the first arm's-length transaction price in the United States. Even so, the scale of the gap shows that the policy is not a marginal adjustment to import pricing. It is an attempt to establish a protected US price curve that is materially detached from Asian spot levels. According to SMM research, average quotations for US-made white-backsheet modules were recently around $0.31/W. Southeast Asian modules delivered duty paid to the United States were quoted at approximately $0.27/W, while Indian non-DCR modules were around $0.14/W. On a nominal-price basis, the $0.38/W module MIP is approximately 22.6% above the US-made module quotation. Once applicable Section 232 duties are added, the cost gap between imported and domestically produced modules could widen further, strengthening the relative competitiveness and pricing power of US manufacturers. US solar assets continue to expand despite lower module imports The ultimate cost impact of the new tariffs and price floors will depend on the pace and structure of US solar deployment. EIA data show that cumulative operating solar net summer capacity increased from 138.3 GW at the end of 2023 to 175.3 GW at the end of 2024 and 209.3 GW at the end of 2025. By the end of May 2026, it had reached 222.7 GW, a net increase of approximately 13.4 GW from year-end 2025. Solar generation also continued to grow. In 2025, US utility-scale solar generation reached approximately 296 TWh, up 34% year on year, while small-scale solar generation rose 11% to around 93 TWh. Combined output was approximately 389 TWh. The data indicate that the operating asset base and actual solar generation continued to expand even as finished-module imports declined. The cost effect of Section 232 therefore cannot be assessed from short-term import movements alone. If US solar capacity continues to grow while domestic wafer and cell projects ramp more slowly than module assembly, the import price thresholds will be more readily passed through to module and project costs. If construction slows because of financing, permitting or interconnection constraints, the policy may instead be reflected mainly in greater pricing power for domestic manufacturers rather than an immediate physical shortage. Module imports fell 39%, while cell imports rose 57% USITC data reveal a clear structural shift in the US solar supply chain. In 2024, the United States imported 54.3 GW of crystalline-silicon modules and 13.89 GW of crystalline-silicon cells. In 2025, module imports fell 39.2% year on year to approximately 33.0 GW. Cell imports, aggregated from country-level data, rose 57.1% to about 21.82 GW. The divergence between declining module imports and rising cell imports shows how the expansion of US module assembly is changing the import mix. A growing portion of demand is being met through imported cells assembled into modules in the United States rather than through direct imports of finished modules. This shift does not mean that the US solar manufacturing chain has achieved full localization. On the contrary, it highlights cells as the most important import-dependent link at this stage. Import volumes and newly installed capacity cannot be matched on a watt-for-watt basis because of inventory changes, manufacturing lead times and differences in statistical scope. Nonetheless, the opposite direction of cell and module imports in 2025 clearly indicates that the United States is moving from a finished-module import model toward one in which imported cells support domestic module manufacturing. The next stage of localization may extend further upstream into wafers and polysilicon. The US Department of Energy has also noted that cells, wafers and polysilicon require more capital and generally have longer design, permitting, construction and ramp-up cycles than module assembly. The rise in cell imports to 21.82 GW in 2025 provides trade-data evidence that rapid module-capacity growth has not yet reduced US reliance on foreign cells. Against this backdrop, the $0.22/W cell MIP and the additional 15% tariff will have two effects. They may protect domestic cell projects and create more room for upstream investment, but they could also raise production costs for US module plants that still depend on imported cells before domestic cell capacity is fully available. Whether companies can obtain relief under the onshoring program, and whether US cell projects begin production and ramp on schedule, will determine whether the measure functions primarily as protection for domestic manufacturing or becomes an upstream cost squeeze on downstream module producers. Import origins have shifted, but Section 232 narrows the scope for rerouting Indonesia supplied 13.34 GW, or 40.4%, of US crystalline-silicon module imports in 2025. Laos supplied 5.48 GW, or 16.6%. Together, the two countries accounted for 57.0% of the total. Imports from Vietnam, India, Thailand and Malaysia reached approximately 3.39 GW, 3.08 GW, 2.88 GW and 2.17 GW, respectively. Cell imports were even more concentrated. In 2025, the United States imported approximately 6.47 GW of cells from Indonesia, 4.53 GW from Laos, 3.65 GW from Malaysia, 3.30 GW from South Korea and 3.02 GW from Thailand. The five largest origins accounted for 96.1% of the total, while Indonesia and Laos together represented around 50.5%. Country-level data show that US module sourcing has moved beyond the four Southeast Asian countries traditionally targeted by trade cases and has diversified toward Indonesia, Laos, India, Ethiopia and the Philippines. Unlike anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations focused on named countries, the Section 232 MIPs cover products from a broad range of origins. This will substantially reduce the ability of suppliers to preserve low-cost access to the US market simply by changing the location of module assembly or cell exports. US solar manufacturing stocks rose, but the benefit differs by company US-listed solar manufacturing stocks responded quickly after the policy announcement. Public market data show that First Solar rose as much as approximately 8% in after-hours trading, while T1 Energy gained as much as 6.3%. The reaction reflects investor expectations that the domestic manufacturing premium will widen. First Solar uses cadmium telluride thin-film technology and does not rely on the crystalline-silicon polysilicon chain. Its main benefit would come from improved relative competitiveness if imported crystalline-silicon modules become more expensive. However, the cell and module tariff lines listed in the annex cover both crystalline-silicon products and other photovoltaic products. Whether imported thin-film modules fall within the final measures will depend on customs classification and implementation guidance. First Solar's share-price response is therefore better understood as a revaluation of its US manufacturing advantage rather than a direct benefit from lower polysilicon costs. T1 Energy operates module manufacturing capacity in the United States and is developing domestic cell capacity. Its US manufacturing position stands to benefit from a higher import threshold for finished modules. Before its domestic cell lines are fully ramped, however, the cell MIP could also raise input costs. The company's net benefit will depend on the pace of its US cell buildout and whether it can secure Section 232 relief for qualifying equipment and covered products under an approved onshoring plan. For domestic polysilicon producers such as Hemlock Semiconductor and Wacker's US operations, the $21/kg MIP offers more direct price protection. For integrated manufacturers such as Qcells, which is building wafer, cell and module capacity in the United States, the framework could narrow the cost gap between domestic production and Asian imports. US manufacturers gain protection, but project costs face upward pressure In the short term, some existing contracts and in-transit orders may retain transitional treatment before December 4, and US importers may accelerate the delivery of compliant orders. The anti-stockpiling provisions will limit excessive front-loading, however, creating a distinction between the earlier delivery of normal orders and restricted abnormal inventory accumulation. Over the medium term, the $0.38/W module MIP, together with additional tariffs, will significantly narrow the low-cost advantage of imported crystalline-silicon modules. US module manufacturers should gain greater pricing flexibility and improved order visibility, while developers face higher capital expenditure and levelized electricity costs. Projects already under pressure from the phase-down of federal incentives, interconnection queues or financing costs may need to recalculate returns or delay procurement. The scale of the impact will also depend on the structure of US demand. If solar deployment maintains its current growth trend and domestic capacity can cover the required power classes and delivery specifications, lower imports may be partly replaced by domestic supply and inventories. If demand from data centers and utility-scale projects shifts more rapidly toward higher-power and higher-efficiency products while US wafer and cell capacity ramps more slowly than expected, the supply gap could amplify price increases and project-delay risks. Direct exports from China may face limited incremental impact, but third-country supply chains face greater pressure Chinese solar products already face US anti-dumping and countervailing duties, forced-labor enforcement, country-of-origin scrutiny and other trade restrictions. The incremental effect of the new Section 232 measures on direct exports from China may therefore be smaller than the size of the MIPs alone suggests. The new measures are broad in both tariff classification and origin, however. Producing wafers, cells or modules in Southeast Asia, India or other third countries will no longer provide the same scope to secure US market access through low prices alone. Companies that rely on imported cells for US module assembly, or that plan to expand in third countries to serve the US market, will face higher costs and compliance pressure. As the US price threshold rises, some modules originally intended for the United States may be redirected to Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and other Asia-Pacific markets, intensifying competition for orders in those regions. Chinese companies will need to go beyond changing export destinations. They should reassess US investment, supply-chain traceability, tariff classification, related-party pricing and contract structures with local customers. Onshoring relief creates an investment route, but the threshold is high The proclamation authorizes the Department of Commerce to establish an onshoring incentive program. Companies that commit to building, refurbishing or expanding US capacity for polysilicon, silicon ingots, wafers or cells, and begin construction by January 20, 2029, may submit a company-level onshoring plan. During construction, approved companies may import necessary production equipment and covered products at a volume linked by Commerce to the scale of the new investment without paying the applicable Section 232 duties. The framework does not close the US market entirely. Instead, it seeks to tie import relief to domestic capital expenditure. The policy may accelerate investment decisions in US wafer and cell production, but effective supply will still depend on construction schedules, equipment delivery, skilled labor, energy costs and downstream orders. If a company fails to meet its commitments, the relief may be withdrawn. Fraud or misrepresentation could also result in retroactive revocation. Outlook: trade protection will interact with the expiry of project tax credits SMM believes the Section 232 measures upgrade US solar trade protection from country-specific anti-dumping and countervailing duty actions into a price-management system spanning the value chain and multiple origins. The central constraint is not the nominal 15% rate alone, but the combined barrier created by MIPs, additional duties, existing trade remedies and strict certification and enforcement. In the short term, the US market may see faster delivery under existing contracts, higher domestic module quotations and contract renegotiations by developers. The medium-term impact will depend on three variables: how the Department of Commerce defines eligibility and relief volumes under the onshoring program; whether US wafer and cell capacity comes online on schedule; and whether trading partners such as the EU, Japan and South Korea adopt MIP systems that the United States regards as substantially equivalent, potentially triggering tariff adjustments. The Section 232 measures must also be considered alongside the termination schedule for US clean electricity tax credits. Under the current rules, solar projects that begin construction after July 4, 2026 and enter service after December 31, 2027 will generally no longer qualify for the Section 45Y clean electricity production tax credit or the Section 48E clean electricity investment tax credit. Projects that satisfied the applicable construction-start requirements before July 5, 2026 may still seek transitional eligibility under the physical-work and continuity rules. The entire US solar market will not lose tax credits at the end of 2027; the deadline primarily constrains new projects that did not begin construction within the transition window. This schedule could bring demand forward. From the second half of 2026 through 2027, some developers may accelerate equipment orders, construction and grid connection to complete projects before the tax-credit deadline. If the Section 232 MIPs take effect at the same time, concentrated procurement and higher import costs could reinforce each other, lifting domestic module quotations and equipment budgets. From 2028, project performance is likely to diverge more sharply. Projects with transitional eligibility, long-term power purchase agreements or demand support from high-load customers such as data centers may continue. Projects that cannot claim the 45Y or 48E credits and are highly sensitive to equipment costs may renegotiate contracts, reduce scale or delay development. If the imported-module MIP remains at $0.38/W while domestic production costs have not fallen materially, the loss of project-side tax credits and elevated equipment prices will create a double squeeze on project economics. Section 45X should be distinguished from Section 48E. The Section 45X advanced manufacturing production credit does not end in 2028. Under current IRS rules, qualifying modules, cells, wafers and polysilicon remain eligible for the full manufacturing credit through the end of 2029. The credit then falls to 75% in 2030, 50% in 2031 and 25% in 2032 before ending after December 31, 2032 for the relevant components. The result could be a policy mismatch in 2028-2029: some demand-side projects will lose federal tax credits while manufacturers retain the full production incentive. The Section 232 MIPs may therefore serve not only as trade protection, but also as a mechanism supporting domestic manufacturing margins before and during the Section 45X phase-down. If domestic capacity comes online rapidly with 45X support while project deployment slows following the termination of 45Y and 48E eligibility, US manufacturing capacity could grow faster than project demand. Conversely, if data-center load growth, power shortages and state procurement programs continue to support installations, the Section 232 price threshold may help domestic producers maintain higher selling prices as 45X support declines. The central tension in the US solar market will consequently shift from competition between imports and domestic manufacturing toward whether the pace of manufacturing expansion can match installation demand without federal project-level tax credits. For the global solar market, the United States is likely to develop an increasingly distinct domestic price system that is further decoupled from the low-cost Asian supply chain. US manufacturers will receive greater protection, but project development costs and supply-chain complexity will also increase. Competition will increasingly center on domestic capacity, technology, supply-chain traceability and policy eligibility rather than module price alone. SMM will continue to track implementation guidance from the US Department of Commerce and Customs and Border Protection, adjustments to the minimum import prices, approvals under the onshoring program, and the subsequent impact on polysilicon, wafer, cell and module prices and company shipments. Written by: Ryan Tey Tze Yang | SMM PV Analyst +60 127179370 | ryan.tey@metal.com

SMM August 6 News: Germanium ingot in the spot market, driven by tight raw material supply, saw its price edge up slightly; leading tungsten enterprises slightly raised their long-term contract quotations. Meanwhile, the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) on August 6, 2026, formally published in the Federal Register the interim final rule "Allocation Order and Additional Requirements for Recyclable Critical Minerals and Materials," under the Defense Production Act (DPA) and a presidential determination on July 30, 2026, imposing mandatory domestic sales controls on two types of critical recycled minerals: shredded tungsten scrap and lithium battery black mass. The rule will take effect on August 27, 2026, and remain valid until August 27, 2027, intensifying concerns about tight tungsten raw material supply outside China. As of now, activity in domestic spot tungsten transactions has shown some rebound, and the transaction center for spot tungsten ore orders has edged up slightly. Secondary market sentiment heating up boosted the minor metal sector, which collectively strengthened. As of the close on August 6, the minor metals sector rose by 2.08%. In terms of individual stocks: Yunnan Germanium surged over 8%, while China Tungsten High-Tech, Xianglu Tungsten, Xiamen Tungsten, Haotong Technology, and Orient Tantalum led the gains. Spot Market Germanium Order to View SMM Historical Metal Spot Prices Germanium is a strategic rare metal with a highly concentrated global supply structure. The ongoing implementation of domestic resource controls and frequent geopolitical disruptions outside China, combined with the normal enforcement of export control policies, have collectively reinforced supply tightening expectations. Currently, low-priced supply in the market is scarce, and downstream just-in-time procurement must accept high-priced materials, causing germanium ingot prices to edge up on August 6. Meanwhile, overall stable demand from end-use industries has provided support for the continuous rise in germanium prices this year. Tungsten Order to View SMM Historical Metal Spot Price Trends Currently, the tungsten ore market is operating steadily. A large tungsten enterprise slightly raised its long-term contract quotation, providing some support to market confidence. Meanwhile, the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) on August 6, 2026, formally published in the Federal Register the interim final rule "Allocation Order and Additional Requirements for Recyclable Critical Minerals and Materials," under the Defense Production Act (DPA) and a presidential determination on July 30, 2026, imposing mandatory domestic sales controls on two types of critical recycled minerals: shredded tungsten scrap and lithium battery black mass. The rule will take effect on August 27, 2026, and remain valid until August 27, 2027, which has escalated market concerns about tight tungsten raw material supply outside China. As of now, activity in domestic spot tungsten transactions has shown some rebound, and the transaction center for spot tungsten ore orders has edged up slightly. On the domestic front, the market is reassessing the impact of the "Opinions of the National Mine Safety Administration on Standardizing Construction Teams for Metal and Non-Metallic Mine Mining (Stripping)" on the non-coal mining industry. The document requires that by May 1, 2027, for underground mines and by May 1, 2028, for open-pit mines, one of two options must be chosen: ① establish an in-house mining team; ② engage in compliant integrated contracting; fragmentary subcontracting and layered transfers are prohibited, and labor dispatch is strictly banned. Mines failing to complete rectification by the deadline will be ordered to suspend production for rectification. Domestic tungsten mines are primarily underground, with the vast majority of wolframite extracted through underground mining, and some scheelite extracted through both open-pit and underground methods. In tungsten-rich regions such as Jiangxi and Hunan, a large number of small and medium tungsten mines have long been highly dependent on external contracted mining teams. The implementation of the new regulation will impose tangible constraints on tungsten ore supply, production costs, and the operations of small and medium mines. Recently, the spot tungsten ore market has started to become more active, with traders actively entering the market, while downstream smelters continue to maintain a wait-and-see sentiment. Overall, market sentiment has eased amid frequent mining policies and intensive safety inspections in Yunnan, Jiangxi, and Henan. Supply-side disruptions have increased, and if demand shows mild entry, the tungsten market is expected to see a turnaround. Institutional Voices Guojin Securities research report believes: Tantalum: Global tantalum resource supply is highly concentrated and frequently disrupted, while development of AI servers and advanced semiconductor manufacturing is expected to continue driving demand growth in tantalum capacitors, tantalum targets, and other areas. Against the backdrop of ongoing supply constraints and gradual demand release, the tantalum market is expected to shift from supply-driven to supply-demand resonance, pushing the tantalum price center further upward. Related equities: Oriental Tantalum, Guotai Group, Ximei Resources, Xinjinlu, Jiangwu Equipment. Minmetals Securities research report points out: Germanium accounts for 60% of applications in optical communications and satellite photovoltaics, making it an "AI computing power + space energy" metal. With its excellent refractive index control capability and radiation resistance, germanium has become a critical material for AI data center optical interconnects and low-earth orbit satellite photovoltaic systems. Looking at changes in demand structure, from 2020 to 2026, downstream germanium consumption grew from 160 mt to 240 mt, with optical communications' share rising to 40% and satellite photovoltaics' share to 20%, together accounting for 60% of total downstream demand. It is expected that 90% of demand growth contributions in 2027 will come from two high-boom sectors: AI hardware and satellite photovoltaics. Caitong Securities research report shows: With the explosive demand for AI computing power, the market size of indium phosphide, used as a chip substrate material, will continue to expand. Indium resources are scarce and subject to policy restrictions, and product prices have entered an upward channel. High-purity red phosphorus is a critically important semiconductor base material with high purification technology barriers. Against the backdrop of accelerated AI application deployment driving related infrastructure construction, the indium phosphide substrate industry chain is expected to see dual opportunities from demand growth and domestic substitution. Investors are advised to follow related enterprises with resource and technology advantages in indium phosphide, indium, and high-purity red phosphorus. Datong Securities research report shows that minor metals have embarked on an independent upward trend, with supply tightening and strategic attributes driving a valuation re-rating. The rare earth sector is front-running expectations of new regulations, with Myanmar ore imports disrupted and Pr-Nd oxide seeing tight spot supply and soaring prices. In tungsten and antimony, declining ore grades combined with environmental protection-driven production restrictions have widened supply gaps, while demand from photovoltaics and cemented carbides remains firm even in the off-season, with inventories at low levels. AI computing power and the communications industry are driving demand for gallium and germanium, and coupled with export control policies, overseas stockpiling has widened price spreads between Chinese and overseas markets. Scarce resources and financial attributes resonate, and the sector continues to attract capital favor.

As the global photovoltaic (PV) industry enters a new stage of development in 2026, the sector finds itself at a pivotal crossroads defined by both cyclical market adjustment and rapid technological transformation. Having moved beyond an era driven primarily by large-scale capacity expansion, the industry is increasingly focused on improving manufacturing efficiency, accelerating technology upgrades, and strengthening supply chain resilience to support sustainable long-term growth. The continued commercialization of N-type cell technologies, alongside the rapid advancement of Back Contact (BC) products, is reshaping the competitive landscape. At the same time, evolving global trade dynamics and the growing need for localized manufacturing are driving companies to optimize their international strategies and reinforce operational resilience. While short-term supply-demand imbalances continue to present challenges, the long-term outlook for the solar industry remains highly positive, supported by accelerating global decarbonization efforts and ambitious renewable energy targets across major markets. Against this backdrop, companies with strong technological capabilities, reliable manufacturing capacity, and proven execution continue to distinguish themselves as industry leaders. To recognize these outstanding performers, Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) has officially released the 2026 SMM PV Module Tier 1 List , highlighting manufacturers that demonstrate excellence across multiple dimensions of business performance. Built upon SMM's deep industry expertise and comprehensive market research, the Tier 1 evaluation adopts a multi-dimensional assessment framework covering product competitiveness, manufacturing and delivery capability, financial and operational stability, market performance, and long-term sustainability. The objective is to identify enterprises that consistently deliver high-quality products while maintaining resilient operations in an increasingly competitive global market. The companies included in the 2026 SMM PV Module Tier 1 List represent the backbone of today's global photovoltaic industry. Their strong production capabilities, consistent product quality, dependable delivery performance, and commitment to continuous innovation position them as trusted partners for utility-scale, commercial, and distributed solar projects worldwide. More than a recognition of current market leadership, the SMM PV Module Tier 1 List reflects the industry's ongoing transition toward higher standards of quality, innovation, and sustainable development. As technological pathways continue to diversify and international market conditions become increasingly complex, the list serves as an authoritative reference for project developers, investors, EPC contractors, and other industry stakeholders seeking reliable manufacturing partners. Looking ahead, SMM remains committed to supporting the healthy development of the global photovoltaic industry by promoting technological innovation, encouraging fair and rational competition, and fostering continuous improvements in product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and project value. Together with industry partners, SMM believes the solar sector will continue to play a vital role in accelerating the global transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

"Tin" Leads the Future: Industrial Transformation and Value Reshaping in the New Cycle – Conference Background Currently, the global tin industry stands at a historic turning point, where traditional cyclical logic has been thoroughly shattered and its strategic value has been fully highlighted. In 2026, the tin market exhibits an unprecedentedly complex pattern and profound transformation: I. Deep Restructuring of the Supply-Demand Pattern and an Unprecedented Increase in Strategic Attributes The global static reserve-production ratio of tin resources is only 14 years, with scarcity becoming increasingly pronounced. The supply side is under "triple pressure": repeated disruptions in Myanmar’s production resumptions, continued tightening of Indonesian policies, and elevated geopolitical risks in the DRC; resource constraints have already become a new norm. Meanwhile, the demand structure is undergoing a fundamental shift, and tin has emerged as a strategic resource linking traditional manufacturing with a digital future. II. Price System Breaks Through Historical Records, Reshaping of the Industrial Ecology In early 2026, SHFE tin prices broke through 470,000 yuan/mt, reaching an all-time high. This price breakthrough not only reflects a supply-demand imbalance but also signals a reassessment of the tin industry's value. Traditional trade models, risk management systems, and supply chain collaboration methods are in urgent need of innovative breakthroughs. III. Technology-Driven and Green Transition Foster a New Symbiotic Ecosystem Digital and smart technologies are deeply empowering the tin industry chain. The global green transition demands an upgrade toward low-carbon practices and a circular economy, making recycled tin recovery and green smelting processes essential paths. All segments of the industry chain must shift from competition to collaboration, building an open, resilient, and innovative symbiotic system. In this context, from August 19 to 21, 2026, in Changsha, Hunan, the 2026 SMM (16th) Tin Industry Chain Conference will bring together global industry elites for in-depth discussions. Jiangxi Ningheda New Materials Co., Ltd. will attend this grand event, discussing industry development trends with industry peers and jointly pushing the tin industry to new heights. Click to sign up now, witness and participate in this extraordinary and far-reaching industry event, and create a brilliant new chapter together! Founded in 2017, Jiangxi Ningheda New Materials Co., Ltd. is located at No. 966 Tiangong South Avenue, High-Tech Industrial Park, Fengxin County, Yichun City, Jiangxi Province, and is a holding subsidiary of Jiangxi Ningxin New Materials Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Ningxin New Materials). Founded in 2007, Jiangxi Ningxin New Materials Co., Ltd. is an enterprise specializing in the R&D, production, and sales of special graphite. The company owns a complete set of special graphite production equipment, with process technology at an advanced level in China, and its market share holds a leading position in the special graphite industry. On November 8, 2016, Ningxin New Materials was successfully listed on the New Third Board (stock abbreviation: Ningxin New Materials, stock code: 920719). In 2020, it was selected as a national-level specialized and new "little giant" enterprise. In May 2023, it was successfully listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange. Jiangxi Ningheda New Material Co., Ltd. is mainly engaged in graphite product machining and graphite product support services. It specializes in providing graphite materials, graphite electrodes and related graphite products for the lithium battery industry, machinery industry, electronic semiconductor and solar photovoltaic industries, as well as corresponding application technical services and technical upgrade solutions for these industries and products. With excellent production technology, strong service awareness, and high market share, Jiangxi Ningheda New Material Co., Ltd. has developed rapidly by leveraging the raw material, capital and management advantages of its parent company Ningxin New Materials. It is committed to extending the special graphite industry chain and contributing to building a comprehensive graphite industry strategy in the future. Established in 2017, located at No. 966 of Tiangong South Avenue, High-tech Industrial Park, Fengxin County, Yichun City, Jiangxi Province, China, Jiangxi Ningheda New Material Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Jiangxi Ningxin New Material Co., Ltd. Jiangxi Ningxin New Materials Co., Ltd. was established in 2007. It is an enterprise specializing in the research and development, production and sales of special graphite. With a full set of special graphite production equipment, the process technology has reached advanced level in the domestic market, and its market share in the special graphite industry is far ahead. On November 8, 2016, Ningxin New Materials was successfully listed on the New Third Board (stock abbreviation: Ningxin New Materials, stock code: 920719). In 2020, it was selected as a national-level specialized and new "little giant" enterprise. In May 2023, Ningxin was successfully listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange. Jiangxi Ningheda New Material Co., Ltd. is mainly engaged in graphite product processing and graphite product matching service, providing graphite materials, graphite electrodes and graphite products for the lithium industry, machinery industry, semiconductor and solar photovoltaic industry, along with corresponding product technical services and technical application update programs. With excellent production technology, good customer service, high market share, and relying on the advantages of new materials, capital and management of its parent company (Jiangxi Ningxin New Material Co., Ltd.), Jiangxi Ningheda New Material Co., Ltd. has developed quickly. We devote to the extension of the special graphite industry chain, and make contributions for building the future whole graphite industry strategy. Contact Deng Qin 18179589702 Email: Address: No. 966, Tiangong South Avenue, High-tech Industrial Park, Fengxin County, Yichun City, Jiangxi Province Long press to scan the QR code to register 2026 SMM (16th) Tin Industry Chain Conference

"Tin" Leads the Future: Industry Transformation and Value Reshaping in the New Cycle Conference Background Currently, the global tin industry is at a historic turning point. Traditional cyclical logic has been completely shattered, and strategic value has been fully highlighted. The tin market in 2026 is exhibiting an unprecedented complex pattern and profound transformation: I. Deep Reconstruction of Supply-Demand Pattern, Unprecedented Enhancement of Strategic Attributes The global static reserve-to-production ratio of tin resources is only 14 years, with scarcity becoming increasingly prominent. The supply side faces "triple pressure": the repeated delays in production resumptions in Myanmar, persistently tightening policies in Indonesia, and high geopolitical risks in the DRC. Resource constraints have become the new normal. Meanwhile, the demand structure is undergoing a fundamental shift, and tin has become a strategic resource connecting traditional manufacturing with the digital future. II. Price System Breaks Historical Records, Industry Ecology Faces Reshaping In early 2026, SHFE tin prices broke through 470,000 yuan/mt, reaching a historical high. This price breakthrough not only reflects supply-demand imbalance but also marks a revaluation of the tin industry's value. Traditional trade models, risk management systems, and supply chain collaboration methods all urgently need innovation and breakthroughs. III. Technology-Driven and Green Transformation Foster a New Symbiotic Ecosystem Digitalization and intelligent technologies are deeply empowering the tin industry chain. The global green transformation requires the tin industry to upgrade towards low-carbon and circular economy, with recycled tin recovery and green smelting processes becoming the inevitable path. All links in the industry chain must shift from competition to collaboration, building an open, resilient, and innovative symbiotic system. Against this backdrop, on August 19-21, 2026 in Changsha, Hunan held 2026 SMM (16th) Tin Industry Chain Conference will gather global industry elites for joint discussions. Shanghai Jiushi Metal Materials Co., Ltd. will attend this grand event, discussing industry development trends with peers and jointly promoting the tin industry to new heights. Click to register now and attend the conference, to witness and participate in this extraordinary and far-reaching industry event, and to jointly create a brilliant new chapter! Founded in 2008 with a registered capital of 100 million yuan, Shanghai Jiushi Metal Materials Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive enterprise specializing in non-ferrous metal raw material trading and integrating domestic and international trade resources. For over a decade, the company has deeply cultivated its main business in non-ferrous metals, consistently adhering to a philosophy of steady operation and professional service capabilities, steadily consolidating its brand and market foundation. It has accumulated a solid cooperation foundation and a good market reputation within the industry. The company primarily deals in electrolytic tin ingots, #1 electrolytic lead ingots, silver, nickel plates, zinc ingots, lead concentrates, and other non-ferrous metal products. It has formed a multi-category, full-chain supply chain service system, with a processing capacity of 30,000 mt of alloys, capable of meeting clients' diversified and integrated procurement and processing needs. After years of prudent strategic planning, the company has maintained a steady trade scale with ample supply reserves. Its current annual sales include 15,000 mt of tin ingots, 2,000 mt of silver, 200,000 mt of No.1 primary lead ingots, 300,000 mt of zinc ingots, 20,000 mt in metal content of lead concentrates, and 50,000 mt of nickel plates. Its total trade volume exceeded 10 billion yuan in 2025, demonstrating large-scale, regular, and sustainable stable supply capabilities. The company has always adhered to the business philosophy of "integrity and quality assurance, customer first, mutual benefit and symbiosis, and win-win cooperation," deeply cultivating the upstream and downstream of the industry chain and establishing a mature and stable supply-demand cooperation system. Upstream, it has long connected with large smelters in core production areas such as Yunnan, Guangxi, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Inner Mongolia, maintaining long-term stable strategic cooperation to control purity and quality at the source, ensuring sufficient supply and stable quality of tin ingots and various non-ferrous metal raw materials. Downstream, with Shanghai and Guangdong as core hubs, it has built a nationwide sales and service network covering east China, south China, and north China, offering rapid service response and stable, efficient delivery. With tin ingot trade as its core business, the company relies on ample spot reserves, stable source supply, and large-scale supply advantages to precisely connect with various downstream end-users, mainly serving clients in manufacturing fields such as electronics, PV, new energy, alloys, and chemicals. It can continuously and stably supply high-purity tin ingots and supporting non-ferrous metal raw materials according to different customers' production standards and material requirements. With service advantages of precise matching, controllable quality, and timely delivery, it has served a wide range of partners over the long term, accumulating a solid customer base and a strong industry reputation. In terms of operations and management, the company has established a standardized internal management system and a rigorous risk control and compliance system, strictly adhering to compliance bottom lines and tightly controlling operational risks to ensure long-term stable business operations. At the same time, leveraging deep industry expertise and market insights, it continuously optimizes its trade service models, flexibly uses diversified financial and trade financing tools, and customizes suitable cooperation plans based on actual customer needs, achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes for both sellers and buyers under the premise of sound risk control. Looking ahead, Shanghai Nine Stone Metal will continue to uphold the development concept of pragmatism, innovation, and steady progress, continuously optimizing its risk control system and enhancing the professional capabilities of its team. It will further improve the entire industry chain layout of non-ferrous metals, consolidate its core advantages in tin materials, steadily expand downstream markets and emerging application fields, and continuously advance high-quality and stable development. The company will join hands with industry peers and clients to cooperate and create mutual success. Founded in 2008 with a registered capital of RMB 100 million, Shanghai Nine Stone Metal Materials Co., Ltd. is a professional integrated enterprise engaged in non-ferrous metal commodity trading and global supply chain resource integration. With more than ten years of focused cultivation in the non-ferrous metal sector, the company has upheld a conservative operational strategy and premium service norms, steadily strengthened its brand equity and market foothold, and fostered stable cooperative relationships and a prestigious market standing within the industry. The company’s mainstream product lineup comprises electrolytic tin ingots, 1# standard electrolytic lead ingots, fine silver, nickel cathode plates, zinc ingots and lead concentrates, covering a full range of mainstream non-ferrous metal commodities. It has built a one-stop diversified supply chain service system, paired with an annual alloy processing capacity of 30,000 tons, to satisfy clients’ comprehensive customized procurement and processing demands. Supported by long-term strategic market deployment, the company boasts sustainable trading scale and adequate spot inventory. Its annual trading volume stands at 15,000 tons of tin ingots, 2,000 tons of fine silver, 200,000 tons of 1# standard electrolytic lead ingots, 300,000 tons of zinc ingots, 20,000 metal tons of lead concentrates and 50,000 tons of nickel plates. The company’s total trading turnover exceeded RMB 10 billion in 2025, enabling large-scale, standardized and enduring bulk commodity supply capacity. Adhering to the corporate principle of Integrity and Quality Priority, Customer Centricity, Mutual Benefit and Win-Win Partnership, the company has deeply penetrated the upstream and downstream segments of the industrial chain and established a mature and stable supply-demand collaboration system. Upstream, it maintains long-term strategic cooperative partnerships with benchmark smelting enterprises in core producing areas including Yunnan, Guangxi, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Inner Mongolia. Through strict source quality control over product purity and specifications, the company guarantees stable supply and consistent quality uniformity of tin ingots and all non-ferrous metal commodities. Downstream, with Shanghai and Guangdong as core regional hubs, it has established a nationwide sales and after-sales service network covering East, South and North China, featuring rapid response and reliable full-cycle delivery efficiency. Centering on tin ingot bulk trading as its core pillar business, the company serves terminal manufacturing enterprises across electronics, photovoltaic, new energy, alloy manufacturing and fine chemical industries, relying on sufficient spot stock reserves, stable upstream resource channels and large-scale bulk supply advantages. It is capable of supplying high-purity tin ingots and supporting non-ferrous metal materials in a sustained manner in compliance with clients’ customized production criteria and material technical requirements. Driven by precise commodity matching, standardized quality control and on-time delivery assurance, the company has served a large number of long-term strategic partners and accumulated solid customer resources and superior industrial credibility. In corporate governance and operational management, the company has implemented standardized internal management mechanisms and established a rigorous compliance and risk management & control (RMC) system. It strictly abides by industrial specifications and regulatory policies, effectively mitigates operational risks, and ensures the long-term stable and compliant operation of all trading businesses. Drawing on profound industrial experience and forward-looking market insight, the company continuously optimizes its trading service model, flexibly applies diversified trade financing and financial instruments, and develops personalized cooperation solutions tailored to clients’ actual operational needs, realizing sustainable mutual benefit and win-win development for both supply and demand parties under standardized risk control. Looking forward, Shanghai Nine Stone Metal will continue to uphold the development tenet of pragmatism, innovation and steady progression. The company will further iterate and upgrade its risk control system, improve the professional competency of its core team, optimize the full industry chain layout of non-ferrous metal commodities, and consolidate its leading edge in tin material trading. It will steadily expand downstream market coverage and emerging industry application scenarios, promote high-quality and sustainable corporate development, and join hands with industrial peers and global clients to deepen strategic cooperation and create shared industrial value. Contact Information Zhou Long 15821697119 Wang Lin 18616349359 Long press to scan the code for immediate registration 2026 SMM (16th) Tin Industry Chain Conference

On July 21, the Jiangsu Provincial Development and Reform Commission issued the Notice on the Implementation Plan for the Development of Distributed Photovoltaic in Jiangsu Province (2026- 2030). The notice requires that, in accordance with the overall requirement of "actively and prudently promoting carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, promoting the clean, low-carbon, and efficient use of energy, and accelerating the planning and construction of a new energy system", based on the actual situation of abundant rooftop resources in our province's parks and rural areas, we should increase the organization and development of distributed photovoltaic power. Distinguish between commercial and household scenarios, and focus on centralized flow, Distributed access is secondary, and priority shoul

On July 28, Shenzhen Energy Group-affiliated enterprises' 2026- 2028 annual photovoltaic module centralized procurement supplier pre-selection project was announced. The shortlisted companies are TCL Zhonghe Energy Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd., Gaojing Solar Energy Co., Ltd., Hongyuan Green Energy Co., Ltd., JinkoSolar Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Qiming Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd., Trina Solar Co., Ltd., Tongwei Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Aixu Solar Technology Co., Ltd., Zhengtai New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., China Energy Conservation Solar Technology (Zhenjiang) Co., Ltd.

On July 30, the Development and Reform Commission of shan dong Province and the Energy Bureau of shan dong Province issued a notice on the implementation of the price policy of supporting the near-by consumption of new energy in accordance with the document [2025] No. 1192 of the Development and Reform Commission (No. 554 [2026] of the Development and Reform Price of shan dong Province),The new energy power consumption projects referred to in this Notice are projects in which the power source (wind power, photovoltaic power, biomass), load and energy storage are connected to the Shandong power grid as a whole, forming a clear physical interface and safety responsibility interface, with new energy power generation as the main power source. At present, it mainly includes projects such as gre

Recently, the second section of the Huaneng Mancheng 300MW forest-photovoltaic complementary new energy project, constructed by China Anneng First Engineering Bureau Liaoning Branch, successfully completed key construction tasks, with the first batch of PV modules successfully connected to the grid. The successful achievement of this period marks a significant milestone breakthrough in the project's construction progress. It not only builds robust green momentum for the high-quality development of the new energy industry in Mancheng District, Baoding, but also fully demonstrates China Anneng's hardcore construction strength in overcoming difficulties, fulfilling commitments, and delivering professional and efficient performance.

On July 28 local time, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission updated its Covered List to include foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and connected power inverters. Under the new rules, models that have not yet secured FCC equipment authorization will be barred from the U.S. market, while previously authorized models are not immediately affected. In this situation, what is the impact to the current market players?