China Solar Capacity: Shattering Renewable Energy Records
China is set to break its own renewable energy records by adding a staggering 240 GW of solar power capacity in 2025, according to a new report from the China Electricity Council (CEC). This surge in solar power is part of China’s broader, relentless effort to expand its renewable energy output. In a stunning display of this acceleration, recent data shows that China has already installed 240 GW of solar in just the first nine months of 2025, effectively meeting its ambitious yearly target well ahead of schedule.
Path to 1.7 TW with New China Solar Capacity
The CEC’s report indicates that the total installed capacity of new energy in China will reach an immense 1.7 TW by the end of 2025. This rapid expansion builds on historic achievements, such as when China’s solar growth reached the 1 TW milestone in 2024, a critical step aligning with the targets outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan Period (2025-2030).
Record-Breaking Solar and Wind Installations Driven by China Solar Capacity
The report forecasts a continued increase in solar power capacity additions, with 230 GW expected in 2024 and 240 GW projected for 2025. To put this into perspective for residents in Germany, China’s planned addition for a single year is nearly three times Germany’s entire cumulative installed solar capacity of approximately 82 GW. This immense scale is a testament to China’s highly optimized supply chain, from the procurement of solar panel raw materials to mass production.
This growth trend is mirrored in wind power, with projected capacity additions of 100 GW in 2025, up from 80 GW in 2024. By the end of 2025, the total installed capacity of solar PV and wind power in the country is expected to reach 1.3 TW and 0.8 TW, respectively.
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A Turning Point for Global Emissions Thanks to China Solar Capacity
This massive deployment of renewables is having a profound and measurable impact on China’s carbon footprint. For the first time, data indicates that China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for 18 consecutive months since March 2024. In the third quarter of 2025 alone, electricity generation from solar surged by an incredible 46% year-on-year, while wind power grew by 11%. This clean energy boom, fueled by an advanced solar panel manufacturing process, was sufficient to meet rising electricity demand, effectively decoupling economic growth from power-sector emissions.
Renewables Dominate the Energy Mix with China Solar Capacity
The CEC’s report highlights a significant increase in the share of renewable energy in China’s total electricity generation. The share of electricity generated from renewable sources is expected to rise from 36.2% in 2023 to 38.8% in 2024 and further to 41.4% in 2025. This shift demonstrates that the newly installed capacity is not just sitting idle but is actively displacing fossil fuels in the country’s energy mix.
What China Solar Capacity Boom Means for Germany
For homeowners and tenants in Germany, China’s solar expansion has direct and indirect benefits. Directly, the enormous scale of production, evidenced by its impressive H1 2025 growth, puts downward pressure on global PV module prices. This makes rooftop solar installations more affordable and accessible for German households, accelerating the Energiewende (energy transition) at a local level. Indirectly, China’s progress in reducing its emissions contributes significantly to global efforts to combat climate change, a goal that strongly resonates with the public and policymakers in Germany.
As the world watches China’s renewable transformation, the underlying technology and economics continue to evolve. To gain a deeper understanding of the industry driving this change, consider exploring our free e-course on solar panel manufacturing.
