The latest data released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that as of the first quarter of 2026, the global cumulative installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) power has officially exceeded 2.5 terawatts (TW), marking a new stage in the development of renewable energy.
China continues to maintain its position as the world’s largest solar market, with a cumulative installed capacity exceeding 900 gigawatts (GW), accounting for more than 36% of the global total. In 2025, China added approximately 280 GW of solar power capacity, once again breaking historical records. In the desert, Gobi, and arid regions of Northwest China, multiple large-scale integrated “PV + ecological governance” base projects have been connected to the grid, achieving the dual benefits of power generation and desertification control.
Meanwhile, Europe and India are also accelerating their pace of development. The EU added approximately 75 GW of installed capacity in 2025, while India, thanks to its “National Solar Mission” program, saw its annual new installed capacity exceed 30 GW for the first time.
Industry analysts predict that with the continued decline in PV module prices and the improvement of supporting energy storage technologies, global solar power installations are expected to surpass the 3 TW mark around 2028.
