Solar cells and LED imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of solar cells and led by the United Kingdom reached $929.6 million in 2024 (246.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 22% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 8% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2023, at $1.19 billion.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $929.6M | 246.8K t |
| 2023 | $1.19B | 202.8K t |
| 2022 | $1.06B | 138.7K t |
| 2021 | $545.9M | 57.5K t |
| 2020 | $367.0M | 33.3K t |
| 2019 | $401.1M | 37.2K t |
| 2018 | $344.9M | 19.6K t |
| 2017 | $538.9M | 44.0K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports solar cells and led from
China alone supplied 74% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $691.6M | 74% |
| United States | $34.2M | 3.7% |
| Germany | $29.0M | 3.1% |
| Netherlands | $26.7M | 2.9% |
| Spain | $19.2M | 2.1% |
| Malaysia | $16.6M | 1.8% |
| Taiwan | $16.2M | 1.7% |
| France | $15.2M | 1.6% |
| Thailand | $12.9M | 1.4% |
| Japan | $12.5M | 1.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.77 per kg, close to the world average of $4.62.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Solar cells and LED exports from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom exported $163.4 million of solar cells and led in 2024 (3.8 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United States (19%), Thailand (15%), Italy (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 44%. Among the main buyer markets, Thailand grew fastest (+458% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $31.0M | 19% |
| Thailand | $23.9M | 15% |
| Italy | $16.7M | 10% |
| Germany | $12.0M | 7.3% |
| France | $11.7M | 7.2% |
| Ireland | $10.5M | 6.4% |
| Hong Kong | $5.9M | 3.6% |
| Canada | $5.8M | 3.6% |
| China | $5.7M | 3.5% |
| Netherlands | $4.8M | 3% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom solar cells and led imports (HS 8541.40): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 8541.40: Electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (LED).
Common questions
What is the value of solar cells and led imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported solar cells and led worth $929.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 246.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 21st of 221 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 22% on 2023.
Which countries supply solar cells and led to the United Kingdom?
China was the largest supplier with 74% of the value ($691.6 million), followed by the United States (4%) and Germany (3%). The top three together account for 81%, out of 68 supplier countries in total. Taiwan grew fastest among the top ten, up 50% on the year.
What is the average import price of solar cells and led per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.77 per kg in 2024, 18% below the world average of $4.62 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of solar cells and led to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $538.9 million in 2017 to $929.6 million in 2024, an increase of 72%. The peak was 2023 at $1.19 billion. Over 8 years the average was $672.2 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export solar cells and led?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $163.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Thailand and Italy. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $766.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for solar cells and led?
The HS code for solar cells and led is subheading 8541.40. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8541 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World solar cells and led trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Kingdom
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