October 2025 solar installations in China rose over 30% MoM to 12.6 GW AC, signaling a market recovery
January to October additions reached 252.87 GW AC, up 71.75 GW AC from the same period in 2024, according to the NEA
China’s total solar capacity climbed to 1.14 TW AC, and wind energy to 590 GW AC, as the country targets 3.6 TW combined solar and wind capacity by 2035
The Chinese solar PV market seems to be recovering from its shift from a feed-in tariff (FIT) to a market-oriented pricing mechanism as its October 2025 installations rose by over 30% month-on-month (MoM) to 12.6 GW AC, according to the latest statistics released by the National Energy Administration (NEA).
This is a gradual improvement compared to 7.36 GW AC in August and 9.66 GW AC in September this year (see China’s Solar PV Capacity Surpasses 240 GW In 9M 2025).
Between January and October 2025, Chinese solar PV installations totaled 252.87 GW AC, representing 71.75 GW AC of annual increase over 181.30 GW AC reported for the same period in 2024 (see China’s January-October 2024 Solar PV Installations Exceed 180 GW).
If the country continues to expand at the same pace and over 12 GW per month in November and December, this year China will likely reach the same level of annual installations as in 2024 (see China Exited 2024 With Over 277 GW New Installed Solar PV Capacity).
However, it will still be below the expectations of the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) that raised its 2025 forecast from 255 GW AC to 300 GW AC, and that of the State Grid Energy Research Institute’s July 2025 projection of 380 GW AC (see CPIA Revises 2025 China Solar Projections Up To 300 GW AC).
Nevertheless, as of the end of October 2025, China had cumulatively installed 1.14 TW AC of solar energy capacity, representing an annual increase of 43.8%. Wind energy expanded to a cumulative 590 GW AC, increasing 21.4% year-on-year (YoY). China aims to achieve a combined 3.6 TW AC solar and wind capacity by 2035 as its revised target under the Nationally Determined Contribution announced by President Xi Jinping (see China Announces 3.6 TW AC Solar & Wind Target For 2035).
Note: This article was revised to reflect the progress against projections.
