Erneuerbare Energien: Solar überholt Kohle erstmals als größte Stromquelle Chinas

China has recently witnessed solar power surpass coal as the largest source of electricity, according to the country's energy authority. As of the end of July, photovoltaic installations accounted for 1,286 gigawatts of installed power generation capacity, narrowly edging out coal-fired power plants at 1,285 gigawatts. Solar energy now makes up 31.5 percent of China's total installed power generation capacity, according to state-run Chinese television.

China has been actively expanding its renewable energy capacity, particularly solar power, in recent years. This development is especially notable in the country's western and northwestern regions, where solar panels can be seen across vast swaths of land. However, despite these ambitious efforts, China remains among the world's largest emitters of carbon dioxide, much of which comes from coal production.

Coal power is considered affordable and serves as a safety net during energy crises in the nation. Moreover, China utilizes coal gasification to produce chemicals that typically require oil, a resource that China is dependent on importing.

This milestone in solar power generation occurred at a time when the expansion of photovoltaic installations in China has slowed down. The nation's energy authority reported that from January to July of this year, they collectively installed 62 percent fewer solar capacity than the same period last year. This decline is attributed to a regulatory revision that abolished price guarantees for solar power projects starting last summer, allowing market forces to determine prices instead.