China has set a new record for annual solar PV installations in 2025, adding 315.07 GW AC of capacity, marking nearly 14% growth compared to 277.17 GW AC in 2024. According to the National Energy Administration (NEA), the country’s cumulative solar capacity reached 1.2 TW AC by the end of 2025, a 35.4% increase from 886.66 GW AC in 2024. While this growth is impressive, it was slower than the 45.2% increase recorded in 2024.
Monthly installations varied during the year. After reaching a record 92.92 GW AC in May, additions slowed as China moved from a feed-in tariff (FIT) system to market-oriented pricing in June. Installation activity picked up again toward the end of the year, with 22.02 GW AC added in November and 40.18 GW AC in December. Despite this acceleration, December 2025 figures remained below the 70.87 GW AC reported in December 2024.
The market surpassed most forecasts for 2025. The China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) initially projected 215 GW AC, then revised it to 255 GW AC, and later estimated between 270 GW AC and 300 GW AC. However, it fell short of the 380 GW AC forecast by the State Grid Energy Research Institute. S&P Global expected 286.67 GW AC and predicted a decline in 2026, estimating 217.9 GW AC as China’s market slows.
China’s wind sector also saw strong growth, adding 119.33 GW AC in 2025 to reach 640 GW AC, a 22.9% increase year-on-year. By the end of 2025, the combined share of solar and wind power in China’s total power generation capacity reached 1.84 TW AC, accounting for over 47% of the country’s 3.89 TW AC total. With these gains, China is already halfway toward its 2035 target of 3.6 TW AC combined solar and wind capacity, highlighting its continued leadership in renewable energy development.
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