Global solar installations broke records in the first half of 2025. A total of 380 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity was commissioned between January and June. This figure represents a significant 64 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year. In 2024, installations during the same period stood at 232 GW.

China Achieves Record Solar Energy

China was the primary driver of this growth. The country alone installed 256 GW, accounting for 67 percent of the global total. This clearly demonstrates China’s dominance in the solar energy market.

The 350 GW threshold was surpassed in September last year, and this threshold was surpassed by June 2025. This rapid increase has made solar energy the fastest-growing source of electricity generation worldwide. Last year, global solar energy production reached 469 terawatt-hours, a 28 percent increase compared to the previous year. This increase surpasses all other energy sources.

According to Ember data, China is the undisputed leader in this growth. In the first half of 2025, China’s installations exceeded those of the rest of the world combined. The country’s share of global installations rose from 54 percent in the same period last year to 67 percent.

Solar energy growth continues in other countries as well. In the first half of 2025, countries other than China installed a total of 124 GW. This represents a 15 percent increase compared to the previous year. India ranks second with 24 GW.

This figure represents a 49 percent increase compared to the previous year’s 16 GW. The US comes in third with 21 GW, representing a 4 percent year-over-year increase. While declines were experienced in Germany and Brazil, other countries saw a 22 percent increase with a total of 65 GW.

The African continent is also experiencing activity. The continent imported 60 percent more solar panels from China last year. However, the lack of reliable installation data makes it difficult to track the continent’s true growth rate.