Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in China
China: Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity was 885.68 gigawatts in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in China, 2000–2024
Source: IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in gigawatts.
Analysis
China recorded 885.68 gigawatts for solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in 2024. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is up 45.5% on the previous year and up 3,057.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in China peaked at 885.68 gigawatts in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.0105 gigawatts, in 2000.
That places China 1st out of 194 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 | 0.0729 gigawatts | 0.0105 gigawatts | 0.284 gigawatts | 10 |
| 2010s | 68.56 gigawatts | 0.864 gigawatts | 204.18 gigawatts | 10 |
| 2020s | 489.13 gigawatts | 253.01 gigawatts | 885.68 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 solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in China?
- Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in China was 885.68 gigawatts in 2024, according to IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 885.68 gigawatts in 2024.
- What is the lowest solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0105 gigawatts in 2000.
- How does China rank for solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity?
- China ranks 1st out of 194 countries with data for 2024.
- Is solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3,057.5%. 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 Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative 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
Solar photovoltaic (on-grid) electricity installed capacity, measured in gigawatts.