China installed 48.2GW of solar in 2020, official figures show

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
A floating solar install in China's Guangxi Province. Image: Sungrow.

Official figures from China’s National Energy Administration reveal more than 48GW of solar PV was installed in the country last year.

The figures, released today (20 January 2021), state that new capacity from all renewables sources – including both solar and wind – topped 190GW, of which solar contributed 48.2GW. Around 72GW of wind and 13.2GW of hydropower was also installed.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The data also points to a significant rush of new solar installs in December 2020, with as much as 23.3GW of new solar installed in that month alone.

More to follow…

Read Next

June 19, 2026
Huasun Energy will launch its Himalaya PLUS HJT module in Europe at next week’s Intersolar industry event.
June 18, 2026
Aiko has signed a 1.2GW module supply deal with Infinity Power to supply modules for the latter’s Nefer Menya solar-plus-storage project.
June 18, 2026
Australia's large-scale renewables pipeline has reached 32,277MW of probable generation capacity, according to the Clean Energy Regulator.
June 16, 2026
European inverter manufacturing capacity has now surpassed 100GW, according to figures from PV Tech Market Research.
June 16, 2026
Brisbane-based developer Renewable Energy Partners (REP) has expanded the Bogunda Energy Hub to include solar PV and battery energy storage, with the project now formally in early-stage development south of Hughenden in Queensland, Australia.
Premium
June 12, 2026
China, the world’s largest PV market, is poised to lead sustainable solar module recycling and circular manufacturing, writes Huan Li.

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
June 30, 2026
Sacramento, California
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
August 25, 2026
São Paulo, Brazil
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 1, 2026
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 9, 2026
Schaumburg, Illinois
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 9, 2026