On December 31, 2025, the Guizhou Provincial Energy Bureau issued the "Guizhou Provincial Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Generation Project Management Measures," which, for the first time at the provincial level, explicitly encouraged the "replacement of equipment for solar power generation projects that have been in operation for 8 years or more." This policy change marks a shift in the early decommissioning standards for solar power plants from the previous 10-year threshold to an 8-year transition period. In 2024, provinces such as Qinghai, Shaanxi, and Zhejiang still maintained the 10-year threshold for technical upgrades, while Guizhou's breakthrough policy set a new benchmark for the industry. The policy adjustment sends a clear signal that the solar recycling market is experiencing a "time window shift" effect.

Policy Review:

On August 14, 2024, the General Office of the Qinghai Provincial People's Government issued the "Qinghai Province Implementation Plan for Accelerating Large-Scale Equipment Renewal and Consumer Goods Replacement," which mentioned support for the renovation and upgrading of key facilities and supporting equipment in solar power plants that have been in operation for over 10 years.

On October 4, 2024, the Shaanxi Provincial Development and Reform Commission and the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Finance jointly issued the "Shaanxi Province Implementation Plan for Strengthening Support for Large-Scale Equipment Renewal and Consumer Goods Replacement," also proposing support for the renovation and upgrading of key facilities and supporting equipment in solar power plants that have been in operation for over 10 years.

On April 2, 2024, the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government released the "Zhejiang Province Measures to Promote Large-Scale Equipment Renewal and Consumer Goods Replacement," setting a target to complete the upgrade and renovation of over 7 GW of wind power capacity and the decommissioning of over 10 GW of solar capacity by 2027. The plan also explored residual life assessments for wind and solar equipment and promoted the step-by-step utilization of equipment and key components. In 2024, multiple cities in Zhejiang, including Huzhou, Jinhua, Quzhou, Wenzhou, Shaoxing, Ningbo, Hangzhou, and Jiaxing Pinghu, released specialized action plans for energy equipment renewal, collectively promoting the replacement of solar components that have been in operation for over 10 years, with panel power below 250 W or energy conversion efficiency below 18%-20%, either through large-scale replacements or upgrades. On December 2, 2024, the Pinghu Development and Reform Bureau publicly solicited opinions on the "Supplementary Opinions on Pinghu City's Policies to Promote Green, Low-Carbon Energy Development (Trial)," encouraging the renewal of distributed solar equipment. For grid-connected projects with capacities of 1 MW or above, those in operation for over 10 years with conversion efficiencies below 18% or single-panel power above 250 W would receive a one-time subsidy of 0.2 yuan per watt after completing technical upgrades and passing review.