China’s PV installations are projected to reach 255 GW by 2025, with a cumulative installed capacity of 1,000 GW. This growth will increase solar energy’s contribution to the country’s power generation to 11% by 2030.
China PV Installations 2025: Ambitious Growth Targets
China is set to increase its annual photovoltaic (PV) installations to 255 GW by 2025, according to a report by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association. This ambitious move is poised to bring the nation’s total cumulative installed capacity to 1,000 GW, demonstrating China’s unwavering commitment to renewable energy and its prowess in the international solar market.
The expansion pace is expected to be remarkable. In 2024, China is projected to add between 200 GW and 230 GW of new solar capacity. This momentum will likely continue, with forecasts indicating installations of 230 GW to 255 GW in 2025, and an impressive 250 GW to 280 GW by 2026. Consequently, China’s total installed solar capacity could reach between 1,400 GW and 1,500 GW by the end of 2026, ensuring that solar energy contributes 10% to 11% of the country’s total power generation by 2030.
China PV Installations 2025: Global Impact and Industry Leadership
China’s dominance in the solar sector is undeniable, with the country accounting for 55% to 60% of the global market. As the largest exporter of photovoltaic products, China’s exports were valued at $28.6 billion in the first half of the year, marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year.
The report highlights the impressive growth in solar power installations. In the first half of 2025 alone, China added 67.34 GW, reflecting a 19.7% increase compared to the same period last year. By the end of June 2025, China’s total installed solar capacity had reached 608 GW.
This expansion is part of a broader trend, with China installing 226 GW of new generation capacity in the first half of 2025, elevating its total power capacity to 2,980 GW. Solar power now represents 20.4% of this total, with other renewables like wind, hydro, and biomass contributing 18.4%, 13.9%, and 1.9%, respectively.
China PV Installations 2025: Role in the Nation’s Energy Mix
Solar power is pivotal in China’s energy strategy, accounting for 6% of the country’s total power generation in the first half of 2025. This is part of China’s broader initiative to amplify the share of renewable energy in its power generation, eyeing an 11% contribution from solar power by 2030.
China’s solar industry continues to be a formidable force in the global market. In the first half of 2025, the country exported 95.6 GW of PV modules, valued at $28.6 billion. This figure, a 4.3% increase from the previous year, underscores the rising global demand for Chinese solar products.
The robust manufacturing sector supports China’s solar industry growth. In the first half of 2025, China produced 630,000 tons of polysilicon, 241 GW of wafers, 176 GW of solar cells, and 190 GW of modules. These figures represent year-on-year increases of 6%, 13.1%, 12.8%, and 24%, respectively.
The average price of monocrystalline silicon modules in China has also remained stable, ranging from $0.115/W to $0.133/W in the first half of the year. This price stability is crucial for maintaining the competitiveness of Chinese solar products in the global market.
China’s ambitious PV installation targets and its expanding share in global solar exports underscore its leadership in the renewable energy sector. With continued growth in manufacturing and exports, China is well-positioned to maintain its dominance in the global solar market and contribute significantly to the global shift towards clean energy.
