Annual percentage change in primary energy from solar in China
China: Annual percentage change in primary energy from solar was 39.8% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Annual percentage change in primary energy from solar in China, 1991–2025
Source: Energy Institute – Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
China recorded 39.8% for annual percentage change in primary energy from solar in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.7% on the previous year and down 41.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual percentage change in primary energy from solar in China peaked at 272.3% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1991.
That places China 21st out of 78 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Annual percentage change in primary energy from solar in China, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 0.0% | — |
| 1992 | 50.0% | — |
| 1993 | 33.3% | -33.3% |
| 1994 | 25.0% | -25.0% |
| 1995 | 40.0% | +60.0% |
| 1996 | 28.6% | -28.6% |
| 1997 | 22.2% | -22.2% |
| 1998 | 27.3% | +22.7% |
| 1999 | 21.4% | -21.4% |
| 2000 | 29.4% | +37.3% |
| 2001 | 40.9% | +39.1% |
| 2002 | 54.8% | +34.1% |
| 2003 | 33.3% | -39.2% |
| 2004 | 18.8% | -43.7% |
| 2005 | 10.5% | -43.9% |
| 2006 | 13.1% | +24.4% |
| 2007 | 20.0% | +52.7% |
| 2008 | 33.3% | +66.7% |
| 2009 | 83.6% | +150.7% |
| 2010 | 151.3% | +81.0% |
| 2011 | 272.3% | +80.0% |
| 2012 | 37.7% | -86.1% |
| 2013 | 133.0% | +252.5% |
| 2014 | 180.8% | +36.0% |
| 2015 | 67.9% | -62.4% |
| 2016 | 68.5% | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 77.1% | +12.5% |
| 2018 | 50.2% | -34.9% |
| 2019 | 26.6% | -46.9% |
| 2020 | 16.6% | -37.8% |
| 2021 | 25.2% | +52.4% |
| 2022 | 30.7% | +21.5% |
| 2023 | 36.7% | +19.7% |
| 2024 | 43.6% | +18.8% |
| 2025 | 39.8% | -8.7% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 39.8% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 18.7%, 2.1× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- China's 39.8% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 19.8%, 2.0× the median. (12 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 27.5% | 0.0% | 50.0% | 9 |
| 2000s | 33.8% | 10.5% | 83.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 106.5% | 26.6% | 272.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 32.1% | 16.6% | 43.6% | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
More energy & mining data for China
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate 2.15 % change on previous year (2025)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel imports 20.4% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual percentage change in primary energy from solar in China?
- Annual percentage change in primary energy from solar in China was 39.8% in 2025, according to Energy Institute – Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual percentage change in primary energy from solar recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 272.3% in 2011.
- What is the lowest annual percentage change in primary energy from solar recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1991.
- How does China rank for annual percentage change in primary energy from solar?
- China ranks 21st out of 78 countries with data for 2025.
- Is annual percentage change in primary energy from solar rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 41.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Energy Institute – Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual percentage change in primary energy from solar. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage change in total energy supply relative to the previous year.