China Installed 44 GW Solar PV In 2018: NEA

Shortly after the Chinese PV Industry Association (CPIA) published its 2018 solar market estimate, China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) came out with the official numbers, which were even a bit higher than the lobbyists estimates. According to NEA, at the end of 2018, the country had 174.63 GW of grid-connected solar power capacity, which is an increase of 33.9% over 130.25 GW reported for 2017 (see China Exited 2017 With 52.8 GW).

Specific numbers have not been announced, but the data released by the government agency shows the total installed capacity of the country in 2018 should be 44.38 GW. While cumulative annual capacity addition increased by 33.9%, China’s installed solar power capacity in 2017 was 52.8 GW. This means, in 2018, the country installed 8.42 GW or around 16% less YoY.

The official number is close to the ‘more than 43 GW’ of new installations in 2018 estimated by the CPIA  (see Over 43 GW Solar In China During 2018: CPIA).

While the YoY decrease is a result of China’s 5/31 restructuring effort, solar power still saw the highest increase compared to all other power generation sources.. Wind power grew by 12.4% in 2018 to an aggregate of 184.26 GW, nuclear power by 24.7% to 44.66 GW, while thermal power increased by 3% to 1143.67 GW and hydropower by 2.5% to 352.26 GW.

Earlier this month the Chinese government said it will focus on pushing unsubsidized wind and solar power plants till 2020, but allowed its provinces to promote subsidized projects under certain conditions (see Beijing Announces Solar Support Measures).