Solar energy generation vs. capacity in China
China: Solar energy generation vs. capacity was 1.17 million terawatt-hours in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Solar energy generation vs. capacity in China, 1971–2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in terawatt-hours.
Analysis
China recorded 1.17 million terawatt-hours for solar energy generation vs. capacity in 2025. That is the highest value across all 55 years on record.
That represents a change of up 39.8% on the previous year and up 2,871.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, solar energy generation vs. capacity in China peaked at 1.17 million terawatt-hours in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0 terawatt-hours, in 1971.
China ranks 1st of 79 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 9 |
| 1980s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1990s | 7.4 terawatt-hours | 2 terawatt-hours | 17 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 96.5 terawatt-hours | 22 terawatt-hours | 279 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 66,350 terawatt-hours | 701 terawatt-hours | 224,000 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 601,967 terawatt-hours | 261,100 terawatt-hours | 1.17 million terawatt-hours | 6 |
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 59.46 (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is solar energy generation vs. capacity in China?
- Solar energy generation vs. capacity in China was 1.17 million terawatt-hours in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest solar energy generation vs. capacity recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 1.17 million terawatt-hours in 2025.
- What is the lowest solar energy generation vs. capacity recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 terawatt-hours in 1971.
- How does China rank for solar energy generation vs. capacity?
- China ranks 1st out of 79 countries with data for 2025.
- Is solar energy generation vs. capacity rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2,871.7%. 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 Solar energy generation vs. capacity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 55 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Figures are based on gross generation and do not account for cross-border electricity supply.