Eco
Iraq experienced a significant decline in Chinese solar panel imports during August 2026, with imports registering at 60 megawatts compared to 130 megawatts in the same month of the previous year. This decrease is part of a broader downturn in solar panel imports across many Arab countries, where the total capacity imported by the top 10 Arab nations from China reached approximately 1.56 gigawatts in August 2026, down from 3.15 gigawatts in August 2025. Saudi Arabia led the list of the largest Arab importers of Chinese solar panels, with imports totaling 610 megawatts despite a 49% decline from the previous year. The United Arab Emirates ranked second with 250 megawatts, marking a 74% decrease. Egypt held the third position with imports of 150 megawatts, down 58%. Some Arab countries showed stability or growth in solar panel imports, with Lebanon and Yemen maintaining their import levels at 100 and 80 megawatts respectively. Oman recorded an 80% increase in imports, reaching 90 megawatts, while Sudan's imports rose by 40% to 70 megawatts. The overall decline in solar panel imports in the region is attributed to the ongoing navigation crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for goods transportation to Gulf countries and Iraq. This situation has affected import and supply movements, leading to reduced demand for Chinese solar panels in several Arab countries. Regarding the ranking of Arab countries by Chinese solar panel imports in August 2026, Saudi Arabia topped the list, followed by the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, and Morocco, with Iraq and Morocco dropping to the last positions on the list.
