Global Solar Installations Increased 64% in the First Half of 2025

Global solar installations are expected to break records again this year, according to an analysis by international energy think tank Ember. The data highlights not only the momentum of solar energy but also its decisive role in transforming the global energy system.

While 380 gigawatts of new capacity was commissioned worldwide in the first six months of the year, this amount increased by 64% compared to 232 gigawatts in the same period in 2024.

Last year, global solar installations surpassed 350 gigawatts in September, and that level was reached in June this year.

Global solar electricity production increased by over 469 terawatt-hours in 2024 compared to the previous year, a 28% increase. The rapid increase in solar capacity in recent years has made it the fastest-growing source of new electricity generation.

In the first half of this year, solar installations in China more than doubled compared to the same period last year. China maintained its global leadership in this area, with 256 gigawatts installed. China's share of the global total also increased from 54% to 67%.

During the same period, countries other than China commissioned a total of 124 gigawatts of capacity. This figure represented a 15% increase compared to the same period last year.

India ranked second globally with 24 gigawatts of capacity installed, a 49% increase compared to the same period last year. The US ranked third with 21 gigawatts, despite government measures limiting clean energy investments. The US saw a 4% increase.

According to Ember, growth is also beginning to accelerate in Africa. The continent has increased its solar panel imports from China by 60% in the last 12 months. However, the lack of official installation data makes the true growth rate uncertain.

Ember Senior Energy Analyst Nicolas Fulghum commented on the report, noting that the sharp increase in annual solar installations continues. Fulghum stated, “In volatile energy markets, solar offers domestic energy that can be deployed at record speeds to meet growing demand, independent of global fossil fuel supply chains.”