Ember says the global solar PV installations in H1 2025 jumped by 64% YoY to 380 GW DC
China contributed 67% of global H1 2025 solar installs, totaling 256 GW DC capacity
Outside China, India led with 24 GW, while the US posted modest 4% growth to 21 GW
Global solar PV installations jumped 64% year-on-year (YoY) to 380 GW DC in the first half of 2025, driven by China’s rush to install projects ahead of the new market-based pricing reforms, according to energy think tank Ember.
In comparison, global solar additions crossed 350 GW DC only in September 2024, while the same milestone was reached 3 months earlier in June 2025.
China’s 198 GW AC solar PV additions between January and May 2025 made the country the 1st in the world to exceed 1 TW in cumulative installations. New installations of 14.36 GW AC in June this year expanded its capacity to 212.2 GW AC.
According to Ember’s research, China’s H1 2025 solar PV installations totaled 256 GW DC, contributing to 67% of the global total of 380 GW DC. In H1 2024, the global total was 232 GW DC, including 125 GW DC or 54% installed in China.
Countries outside of China contributed a total of 124 GW during the reporting period, led by India’s 24 GW, which represented a 49% YoY jump, followed by the US’ 4% increase to 21 GW.
“These latest numbers on solar deployment in 2025 defy gravity, with annual solar installations continuing their sharp rise. In a world of volatile energy markets, solar offers domestically produced power that can be rolled out at record speed to meet growing demand, independent of global fossil fuel supply chains,” said Ember’s Senior Energy Analyst, Nicolas Fulghum.
For the remainder of the year, solar PV installations in China may slow down after the initial rush, but Ember cites China Photovoltaic Industry Association’s (CPIA) revised projections for 2025 based on the country’s new clean power requirements for industry to show it may exceed 2024 installations (see CPIA Revises 2025 China Solar Projections Up To 300 GW AC).
State Grid Energy Research Institute and the National Climate Center of China have pegged Chinese solar installations for this year at 380 GW AC, which will be 35.5% more than the 277 GW AC the market exited last year with (see China Forecasts 380 GW New Solar PV Installations In 2025).
Moreover, as solar capacity surges in other countries, Fulghum believes 2025 is on track to become another historic year for solar power.