Installed solar energy capacity in China
China: Installed solar energy capacity was 887.1 gigawatts in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Installed solar energy capacity in China, 2000–2024
Source: IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in gigawatts.
Analysis
China recorded 887.1 gigawatts for installed solar energy capacity in 2024. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
That represents a change of up 45.4% on the previous year and up 3,023.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, installed solar energy capacity in China peaked at 887.1 gigawatts in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.0335 gigawatts, in 2000.
China ranks 1st of 218 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.1439 gigawatts | 0.0335 gigawatts | 0.4148 gigawatts | 10 |
| 2010s | 68.94 gigawatts | 1.02 gigawatts | 204.97 gigawatts | 10 |
| 2020s | 490.18 gigawatts | 253.86 gigawatts | 887.1 gigawatts | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More energy & mining data for China
- Fuel imports 20.4% (2024)
- Ores and metals imports 15.1% (2024)
- Ores and metals exports 1.5% (2024)
- Gas production 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Gas production per person 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel exports 1.5% (2024)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 3.4% (2023)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 59.5% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is installed solar energy capacity in China?
- Installed solar energy capacity in China was 887.1 gigawatts in 2024, according to IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest installed solar energy capacity recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 887.1 gigawatts in 2024.
- What is the lowest installed solar energy capacity recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0335 gigawatts in 2000.
- How does China rank for installed solar energy capacity?
- China ranks 1st out of 218 countries with data for 2024.
- Is installed solar energy capacity rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3,023.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Installed solar energy capacity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total solar (on- and off-grid) electricity installed capacity, measured in gigawatts. This includes solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar power.