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

July 9, 2026
The latest Silicon Industry Branch figures indicate continued weakness in the Chinese polysilicon market this week, though the decline slowed markedly.
July 9, 2026
Clean energy investor confidence in Australia has deteriorated sharply over the past year, according to the Clean Energy Investor Group (CEIG).
Sponsored
July 7, 2026
Sunpro Power discusses its new back-contact PV modules and why it is branching out into the battery storage business.
July 7, 2026
Chinese authorities have issued new national standards governing the energy and conversion efficiencies of PV modules, polysilicon production and inverters.
July 1, 2026
Firmus Technologies has signed a 12-year wholesale energy supply agreement with Gunvor Group, including 1.2GW of renewables by 2032.
July 1, 2026
A 1GW concentrated solar-PV hybrid complex built by China Three Gorges Corporation in Hami, Xinjiang has completed commissioning and entered commercial trial operation.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye