Solar Overtakes Coal as China's Largest Power Source
Solar power has just become the single largest electricity capacity source in China, toppling coal in a landmark achievement of the Chinese renewable energy rollout. Solar power capacity in China stood at 1,286 gigawatts (GW) at the end of July, Chinese media cited the country’s National Energy Administration as saying on Tuesday. Thus, solar capacity accounted for 31.5% of total installed power…
China has reached a major milestone in its renewable energy transition, with solar power surpassing coal as the country's largest source of electricity capacity. According to data released by China's National Energy Administration, solar power capacity reached 1,286 gigawatts at the end of July, accounting for 31.5% of total installed power generation.
This marks a significant shift from just a few months prior, when solar power capacity stood at 1,274 gigawatts, just below the total coal-fired installed capacity of 1,275 gigawatts. The share of coal in China's electricity output fell to below 50% for the first time on record in the first half of 2026, signaling a major victory for the government's push to boost non-fossil power sources.
Despite this milestone, China remains heavily reliant on coal for industrial purposes and grid reliability, and the renewable energy surge has experienced slowdowns due to policy changes, grid constraints, and rising coal generation.
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