China added a record 93 GW of solar power capacity in May 2025, the highest-ever monthly figure. This one-month addition exceeds the cumulative solar installations of many countries.

The National Energy Administration reported that China’s electricity consumption in May reached 809.6 TWh, a 4.4% increase year-over-year (YoY). The primary industry used 11.9 TWh, the secondary sector consumed 541.4 TWh, the tertiary industry used 155 TWh, and the residential consumption totaled 101.3 TWh.

As of May 31, 2025, China’s total installed power generation capacity reached 3.61 TW, marking an 18.8% YoY increase. Solar power capacity stood at 1.08 TW, up 56.9% YoY, while wind capacity reached 0.57 TW, an increase of 23.1% YoY.

China’s solar capacity additions have experienced substantial growth over the past six years. However, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association projects a decline in capacity additions for 2025 due to new market-based pricing reforms. The association expects solar installations to fall between 215 GW and 255 GW in 2025, representing a decrease of 8.13% to 22.54% from the 277 GW installed in 2024.

The expected slowdown is due to a policy shift requiring renewable energy projects to sell power at market-based rates, replacing the earlier feed-in tariff system. The new policy takes effect in June 2025.

The feed-in tariff regime has helped China to ramp up renewable energy capacity at a staggering pace. Renewables comprise over 40% of the country’s power generation capacity.

China’s National Energy Administration and National Development and Reform Commission recently announced a sustainable pricing mechanism for renewable energy projects selling power to the grid. The tariff will be determined from this month through market-based bidding in each region.

Despite the forecasted reduction in capacity additions, China remains the global leader in solar energy, with the U.S. trailing far behind. According to the Energy Information Administration, the U.S. is projected to add 32.5 GW of solar capacity in 2025.