Solar energy surpasses coal in capacity for the first time in China

Installed solar power capacity in China has for the first time exceeded the capacity of coal-fired power plants. Solar generation thus became the country’s largest single source of electricity by installed capacity.

As of the end of July, China’s solar generation capacity reached 1.286 billion kW, or 1,286 GW. Coal-fired generation at that point had 1.285 billion kW of capacity, according to data from the National Energy Administration of China.

Thus, solar power plants now provide more than 30% of the country’s total installed generating capacity. China’s total power plant capacity at the end of July was about 4.08 billion kW, up 11% year-on-year.

The pace of renewable energy expansion remains much faster than that of traditional generation. In the first seven months of 2026, China added 86.15 GW of solar and 47.07 GW of wind capacity. Together, these two sources accounted for almost 70% of all new generation brought online in the country during this period.

Back at the end of June, solar and coal generation were essentially tied: China had 1.274 billion kW of solar capacity versus about 1.275 billion kW of coal. Already in July, the solar segment took the top spot.

However, the surpassing applies specifically to installed capacity, not actual electricity production. Solar plants have a significantly lower capacity factor because their operation depends on the time of day and weather conditions.

Coal therefore remains the key source of actual generation in China. In the first half of 2026, coal-fired power plants produced about 2.5 trillion kWh of electricity and provided 49.7% of total generation. At the same time, coal’s share fell below half for the first time in a half-year result.

Wind and solar power plants together produced over 1.2 trillion kWh during this period—about a quarter of all electricity consumed in the country. Overall, renewable sources already provide about 40% of production.

China remains the world’s largest solar energy market and at the same time the largest consumer of coal. Therefore, the current passing of the leadership in installed capacity from coal to solar plants is primarily an indicator of a shift in the structure of new investment in the energy sector, while a complete change in the structure of actual generation is happening much more slowly.

Based on materials from: Xinhua, National Energy Administration of China