Solar 101
Couleenergy September 19, 2026
Canada Solar Import Guide 2026: Duties, Module Prices, and the Back-Contact Opportunity
The CITT's rescission opened the door, but it didn't close the gaps: aluminum extrusion duties, electrical certification, and winter voltage sizing all still apply. This guide breaks down the ruling, current module prices by country of origin, and how to use back-contact modules to stand out.
Canada Solar Trade Update · September 2026
Short answer: On September 17, 2026, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) terminated its expiry review of the order made on March 25, 2021, in expiry review RR-2020-001, and rescinded that order. The order covered certain photovoltaic modules and laminates from China. As a result, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will no longer impose anti-dumping or countervailing duties on those goods. Customs classification, taxes, electrical approval and the separate duties on Chinese aluminum extrusions are not affected. For distributors, the duty problem is solved. The differentiation problem has only just begun.
Key takeaways
- The rescission ends one trade remedy on defined products. It is not a compliance reset.
- Panels at or below 100 W were always excluded. Flexible vehicle modules up to 200 W were excluded in March 2026.
- The biggest change is for rigid modules above 100 W, the category where Canadian catalogs are now most likely to converge.
- Chinese TOPCon modules trade at about US$0.104–0.110/W FOB China, while India-made modules sell for roughly a third more ex-works in India (SMM, September 2026).
- Large-format BC modules carry about a 12% premium over comparable TOPCon at FOB China. That is the price of differentiation, and it pays only in the right applications.
- Custom back-contact (BC) modules offer a way to differentiate, sell into higher-value segments and test the market at pilot scale.
The Ruling
What Exactly Did Canada Rescind? Scope, Exclusions and Timeline
The order applied to modules and laminates made with crystalline silicon cells, along with thin-film products based on amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). Two main exclusions stood from the start: products with a power output of 100 W or less, and modules built into electrical goods that consume the power they generate but whose main function is something other than generation. A narrow legacy exclusion also covered one specific 195 W, 72-cell monocrystalline module.
In March 2026, a further carve-out arrived. It was narrower than many summaries suggest. It excluded only flexible modules that will be affixed to curved surfaces of vehicles, such as transport truck fairings, with a power output of 200 W or less.
The timeline shows who actually gains from this week’s decision.
| Date | Event | What it meant for buyers |
|---|---|---|
| July 3, 2015 | CITT threat-of-injury finding (inquiry NQ-2014-003) | Duties begin on covered Chinese modules |
| March 25, 2021 | Finding continued in expiry review RR-2020-001 | Duties extended |
| December 11, 2025 | Interim review opened at an importer’s request to exclude flexible curved-surface panels | Flexible vehicle products under review |
| March 13, 2026 | Interim review RD-2025-001 amends the order | Flexible vehicle modules of 200 W or less excluded |
| September 17, 2026 | Expiry review terminated, order rescinded | Duties end on all remaining covered goods |
Read that table carefully. If you import panels rated at 100 W or less, or flexible vehicle modules up to 200 W, very little changed this week. The real shift is in rigid modules above 100 W: residential, commercial and off-grid glass modules. It also reaches flexible panels that fell outside the vehicle exclusion, such as models above 200 W. That is exactly the category where every competitor is about to place the same order.
The Problem
Everyone Got the Same Access on the Same Day
For about eleven years, the duty shaped what Canadian distributors stocked. Importers found ways around it. Some sourced from other countries. Some stayed under the 100 W line. Others simply dropped categories that weren’t worth the paperwork.
Now the wall is gone. What happens next?
Most distributors will reach for the obvious product: a standard 182 or 210 mm TOPCon glass module in a standard frame. Same spec sheet, same dimensions, same pitch to installers. Within a season, quotes will converge. Once the products look identical, price is the only argument left, and margin is the first thing to go.
That’s the pain point the headlines leave out. A falling trade barrier doesn’t hand anyone an advantage; it removes one. Companies that sold access now need to sell something else.
Market Prices · September 2026
What Do Solar Modules Cost Now? China FOB vs Delivered and India-Made Prices
With the duty gone, the first thing Canadian buyers will do is compare prices. Here is where the market stands, based on Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) assessments. These are third-party benchmark ranges, not Couleenergy quotes.
| Module | Made in | Price basis | Range | SMM update |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOPCon 182 | China | FOB Chinese port | US$0.104–0.108/W | Daily, Sept 21 |
| TOPCon 210mm | China | FOB Chinese port | US$0.105–0.110/W | Daily, Sept 21 |
| TOPCon 210R | China | FOB Chinese port | US$0.104–0.109/W | Daily, Sept 21 |
| TOPCon 210R, high efficiency | China | FOB Chinese port | US$0.111–0.117/W | Daily, Sept 21 |
| TOPCon 210R | China | CIF Malaysia / Thailand / Vietnam | US$0.107–0.117/W | Weekly, Sept 18 |
| TOPCon 210R, utility | China | CIF Saudi Arabia | US$0.121–0.129/W | Weekly, Sept 18 |
| TOPCon distributed, 450–475 W | China | DDP Rotterdam / Greece / Portugal | €0.1084–0.1200/W | Weekly, Sept 18 |
| TOPCon, non-DCR | India | Ex-works, Indian market | US$0.136–0.151/W | Weekly, Sept 18 |
| TOPCon, DCR (domestic content) | India | Ex-works, Indian market | US$0.233–0.257/W | Weekly, Sept 18 |
What these prices tell a Canadian buyer
Chinese TOPCon is priced as a commodity. Every FOB China line sits between about US$0.104 and US$0.117 per watt, and none of them moved in the latest assessment. When everyone can buy at the same flat price, margin has to come from something other than the module.
The Southeast Asian lines are not Southeast Asian-made prices. SMM’s CIF Malaysia assessment is a tax-excluded price for Chinese modules delivered to major Malaysian ports. The Thailand and Vietnam lines work the same way. Compare CIF Malaysia with FOB China for the same 210R format, and delivery to a nearby Asian port adds less than a US cent per watt. Canada is a much longer route, so expect a bigger step. SMM does not publish a price for modules made in Southeast Asia.
India-made modules cost more, even before freight. Non-DCR TOPCon sells at US$0.136–0.151/W ex-works in India, roughly a third above FOB China. DCR modules, which use Indian cells to meet India’s domestic-content rules, cost more than double. These are Indian domestic-market prices, not export offers, but they show why low-cost Chinese supply now changes the math for Canada.
European delivered prices are in euros and include duty. The DDP lines cover freight, any import duty and delivery to a European warehouse. Convert them at the day’s exchange rate before you set them beside a US-dollar FOB price.
There is no public index for landed prices in Canada. Canadian-made modules have no public benchmark either. To build a real comparison, start from FOB, then add ocean freight to a Canadian port, insurance, customs brokerage, any applicable customs duty, GST/HST and inland delivery.
What to Avoid
Six Mistakes Canadian Importers Should Avoid After the Rescission
1. Assuming every duty is gone
It isn’t. On October 1, 2025, the CITT continued its order on Chinese aluminum extrusions, so the CBSA still collects anti-dumping and countervailing duties on those goods. If you ship rails, clamps or frame stock separately, screen them before you quote a full kit. Canada also consulted in 2024 on possible surtaxes on Chinese solar products. In June 2025, it told the WTO that no Canadian surtax measures applied to those products. Check the current Customs Tariff before you quote.
2. Comparing prices on different delivery terms
FOB China, CIF Malaysia and DDP Rotterdam are three different prices for the same Chinese module. A CIF Malaysia price is not a Malaysian-made price. Compare like with like, then add your own freight, insurance, brokerage, duty, GST/HST and inland delivery.
3. Treating an IEC test report as Canadian approval
Grid-tied products installed under the Canadian Electrical Code still need approval from a certification body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. A test report supports that process; it doesn’t replace it. Approval, not sourcing, is usually the slow step, so start it first.
4. Sizing strings at 25 °C
Canadian winters push open-circuit voltage up sharply. Take a module with a 54.5 V Voc and a −0.20%/°C coefficient. At a −40 °C dawn, Voc rises by about 13%, to roughly 61.6 V. That caps a string at 16 modules on a 1,000 V system and 24 on 1,500 V. Design to your site’s lowest expected temperature, and use the method your inspector expects.
5. Reading 5400 Pa as a snow rating
It’s a tested maximum for approved mounting configurations. Check it against the installation manual and the design snow load for the site under your building code.
6. Ordering the same commodity SKU as everyone else
This is the expensive one. It turns your warehouse into a price war.
Engineering Insight
Back-Contact vs TOPCon: Where BC Changes the Math
Back-contact (BC) cells place all of their metal contacts on the rear. The front carries no busbars. Two practical benefits follow: more light reaches the silicon, and the module face has a clean, uniform black look.
In 2026, BC modules crossed 25% efficiency in commercial listings, the highest of any mainstream module type. Efficiency alone, though, doesn’t justify a different product. Here’s how the choice actually breaks down:
| Factor | Standard TOPCon | Custom BC (Couleenergy) |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest cost per watt | Advantage (US$0.104–0.109/W, 210R FOB China) | About 12% higher (US$0.114–0.124/W, 210R 66/72-cell FOB China) |
| Bifacial ground mount | Advantage (bifaciality typically ~80–85% vs ~70%) | Weaker rear gain |
| Module efficiency | Strong | Top tier |
| Appearance (all-black roofs) | Visible busbars | Uniform front |
| Small shadows (vents, railings) | Standard | Better, within limits |
| Fit on fixed or odd surfaces | Catalog sizes only | Built to footprint |
| Differentiation from competitors | Low | High |
How big is the BC price premium?
| Comparison (FOB Chinese port, SMM Sept 21) | TOPCon | BC | BC premium at midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large format, 210R 66/72-cell | US$0.104–0.109/W | US$0.114–0.124/W | ~12% |
| Residential BC 54-cell vs TOPCon 182 | US$0.104–0.108/W | US$0.131–0.142/W | ~29% |
Read the second row carefully. The 54-cell BC module is a smaller residential format, and small formats always cost more per watt. Part of that 29% reflects format, not cell technology. The fairer like-for-like figure is the large-format 12%.
On an open roof, that premium usually isn’t worth it. In the same frame, a 24.6% BC module has only about 4% more power than a 23.7% TOPCon module, so the extra density doesn’t cover a 12% price gap. BC pays back where the surface is fixed, the look matters or small shadows are unavoidable. Those are the cases covered below.
Do back-contact modules really perform better in shade?
You’ll see bold shade claims for BC. Some hold up. Most leave out the conditions.
The mechanism is real. A shaded BC cell breaks down at roughly −5 V, while a conventional substring needs about −15 V before its bypass diode switches on. That’s why BC keeps producing in cases where a standard module drops a third of its output.
The limits matter just as much. A July 2026 TÜV NORD simulation study found the BC advantage appears when three or fewer cells are shaded across different substrings within a string. Once shading goes beyond four cells, the advantage disappears and both technologies lose around half their output. And in June 2026, a quarter-cut TOPCon module earned a top shading score from TÜV Rheinland under a newer revision of the test.
Our rule for installers is simple. If the obstruction is smaller than the module (a vent pipe, a chimney, a bird dropping), BC earns its place. If the shadow is bigger than the module (row shading, a neighboring building), fix the layout instead.
Why module format matters more than cell technology on a fixed surface
Most comparisons skip this part. Consider a 3.5 × 2.3 m roof section, 8.05 m² in total. Two standard 2382 × 1134 mm modules cover only 5.40 m², about 67% of it. Custom modules shaped to that footprint, at the same efficiency, can deliver up to roughly 49% more power from the identical area. Edge margins and clearances bring the real-world figure somewhat lower.
Now compare the cell swap. Moving the standard two-module layout from a 23.7% TOPCon module to a 24.6% BC module in the same frame adds only about 4%.
On RVs, boats, cabin roofs, carports and balconies, the surface is fixed. There, fit is roughly ten times the bigger lever.
The Solution
BC = Differentiated Product + Higher Selling Potential + Limited-Risk Market Test
A differentiated product. Couleenergy manufactures back-contact modules across several formats: flexible ETFE panels (2.7–3.3 mm thick) for vehicles and curved surfaces, semi-rigid walkable panels, rigid framed modules and dual-glass BIPV products. Size, shape, voltage, power, backsheet color and cable layout are built to your specification, under your own brand if you choose OEM or ODM. A competitor can match your price on a catalog module. Matching a module engineered for your customer’s surface is much harder.
Higher selling potential. BC sells where buyers value something other than the lowest cost per watt: all-black residential roofs, space-limited installations, RV and marine refits, off-grid cabins, and OEM products that need a non-standard panel. These segments are the least exposed to the coming price squeeze.
A limited-risk market test. You don’t need a full container to learn whether BC sells in your region.
| Step | What you commit | What you learn |
|---|---|---|
| Sample | A few modules built to your spec | Fit, finish and output on the real surface |
| Pilot | Rigid BC from two pallets (72 pcs); custom small modules from 100 pcs | Sell-through in one segment |
| Scale | Reorder only what sold | Which size, color and brand to stock |
Production takes about 15 working days, with freight on top.
Where we’re not the right fit: If you sell large ground mounts or open commercial roofs on lowest cost per watt, a standard bifacial TOPCon module will usually serve you better. We’d rather tell you now than after the pilot.
Popular Products
Starting Points for a Canadian BC Pilot
130W Flexible Solar Panel for RV & Marine
ETFE flexible back-contact panel for curved vehicle and boat surfaces, customizable in size and output.
View Product »150W Walkable Semi-Rigid Solar Panel
Lightweight ETFE semi-rigid panel you can walk on. Built for decks, cabin roofs and marine installs.
View Product »175W Rigid ABC Solar Module
Compact rigid back-contact module for RV, marine and off-grid systems where small shadows are common.
View Product »640–670W Bifacial Dual-Glass BC Module
High-density dual-glass back-contact module for residential and commercial roofs, with OEM and ODM branding.
View Product »Solar Roof Tiles (BIPV)
Building-integrated solar tiles for projects where the roof itself is part of the design.
View Product »
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Chinese solar panels still subject to anti-dumping duties in Canada?
Not under the order made in expiry review RR-2020-001. The CITT rescinded it on September 17, 2026, and the CBSA will not continue those duties. Other measures, including the order on Chinese aluminum extrusions, remain in force.
When did Canada’s duties on Chinese solar modules end?
On September 17, 2026, the date the CITT terminated its expiry review and rescinded the order.
How much do Chinese solar panels cost for Canadian buyers now?
As of September 21, 2026, SMM assessed Chinese TOPCon modules at about US$0.104–0.110/W FOB Chinese port for mainstream formats. That excludes ocean freight, insurance, brokerage, duty, GST/HST and inland delivery to your Canadian site.
Are modules from Southeast Asia or India cheaper than Chinese modules?
SMM does not publish prices for modules made in Southeast Asia. Its CIF Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam lines are for Chinese modules delivered there. India-made TOPCon sells at about US$0.136–0.151/W ex-works in India, roughly a third above FOB China.
Did anything change for flexible or small solar panels?
For most small products, no. Panels at or below 100 W were always excluded, and flexible modules of 200 W or less for curved vehicle surfaces were excluded in March 2026. Flexible panels outside that vehicle exclusion, including those above 200 W, were covered until the rescission.
Do imported modules still need Canadian certification?
Yes, for installations under the Canadian Electrical Code. Trade remedies and electrical approval are separate tracks.
Is back-contact better than TOPCon for Canada?
It depends on the job. BC leads on efficiency, appearance, small-shadow tolerance and custom fit. TOPCon leads on bifacial ground mounts and lowest cost per watt. At FOB China, large-format BC costs about 12% more than comparable TOPCon.
What’s the lowest-risk way to add BC to a Canadian catalog?
Start with samples in one segment, run a small pilot, and scale only the formats that sell.
Talk to a Solar Pro
Send Us Four Lines
- The application or surface
- Target power
- Quantity
- Destination province
We’ll come back with a BC configuration, a sample plan and a straight answer on whether BC suits your market. If a standard module fits better, we’ll say so.
Couleenergy (Ningbo Coulee Tech Co., Ltd.) · OEM & ODM · Low MOQ · Custom size, power and shape · Fast sampling
couleenergy.com/contact · +1 737 702 0119 · info@couleenergy.com
How this article was checked: Trade facts, dates and product exclusions were checked against the CITT and CBSA notices directly. Shade figures come from an independent TÜV NORD study and are stated with their limits. The worked examples use published module dimensions and our own verified arithmetic. Price ranges are third-party SMM assessments read on September 21, 2026. Daily FOB lines are as of September 21 and weekly lines as of September 18. They are benchmarks, not Couleenergy quotes. Commercial terms are Couleenergy’s own. Couleenergy manufactures back-contact modules, so please read our BC sections with that in mind. Note that CBSA’s Measures in Force page may lag behind the September order; the Tribunal’s order controls. For the full compliance picture, see our importer guide to the rescission. Last reviewed: September 21, 2026.
Sources
- CITT: Tribunal Terminates Expiry Review—Photovoltaic Modules and Laminates from China (September 17, 2026)
- CITT: Tribunal Continues Order, with Amendment—Photovoltaic Modules and Laminates from China (March 13, 2026)
- CITT: Tribunal Initiates Interim Review—Photovoltaic Modules and Laminates from China (December 11, 2025)
- CITT: Tribunal Continues Order—Aluminum Extrusions from China (October 1, 2025)
- SMM: Price assessment methodology for TOPCon modules, FOB Chinese port
- SMM: Addition of TOPCon module CIF Malaysia price points (definition: tax-excluded CIF, major Malaysian ports)
- SMM: Launch of TOPCon module in-warehouse duty-paid prices for Europe (May 2026)
- Department of Finance Canada: Consultation on potential surtaxes, including solar products (September 2024)
- WTO: Dispute Settlement Body meeting, June 23, 2025 (Canada: no surtax measures on certain solar products)
- pv magazine: TÜV NORD study finds back-contact advantage over TOPCon is limited to mild shading (July 8, 2026)
- TaiyangNews: Back-contact modules break the 25% barrier (2026)
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