China reaches solar energy milestone — what does this mean for the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter?
Live Science · 2026-09-03
China has achieved a significant solar energy milestone, with its installed solar capacity now exceeding its coal-fired capacity. As of the end of July, China reached approximately 1,288 GW of installed solar capacity, marginally surpassing 1,285 GW of coal capacity, according to figures reported by the South China Morning Post. While this marks a "structural turning point," solar energy currently supplies a much smaller share of China's total electricity than coal because solar only generates power when sunlight is available. Between January and July, Chinese solar power output rose 15.5% year-on-year to 802.4 TWh, contributing about 13% of the country's total electricity consumption. For renewable generation to displace coal-fired power and significantly reduce global CO₂ emissions, China will need to integrate new renewable power into the electricity system, including developing grids, transmission, storage, and demand flexibility. This expansion is also expected to lower the global cost of solar panels due to China's manufacturing capacity, though experts emphasize the need for sustainable solar production processes from materials to recycling.