Global Solar Installations Surge 64% to 380 Gigawatts in 2025
The first half of 2025 has witnessed extraordinary growth in solar energy worldwide, with global installations soaring by 64 per cent to an impressive 380 gigawatts, led predominantly by China.
Nicolas Fulghum, a senior analyst at Ember, which compiled the data, remarked, “These latest numbers on solar deployment in 2025 defy gravity. In a world of volatile energy markets, solar provides domestically produced power that can be deployed at record speed to meet rising demand, independent of global fossil fuel supply chains.”
China’s Dominance in Solar Installations
According to Ember’s findings, China remains the key player in this surge, having installed 256 gigawatts—twice as much as the rest of the world combined. Meanwhile, solar installations outside of China also saw a 15 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, totalling 124 gigawatts.
The rapid expansion in China can be attributed, in part, to developers hastening to finish projects ahead of new regulations regarding wind and solar compensation that took effect in June. While this may result in a slowdown in growth during the latter half of the year, Ember anticipates that total installations for 2025 will surpass the record set in 2024.
Other Key Players in Solar Growth
India has emerged as the second-largest contributor to solar installations, adding 24 gigawatts, which marks a significant 49 per cent increase over the first half of 2024. The United States follows closely behind with 21 gigawatts, reflecting a modest rise of 4 per cent, despite recent governmental actions aimed at limiting clean power deployment that could impact future growth over the next 18 months.
In contrast, Germany and Brazil experienced a slight decline in deployment. However, other nations collectively added 65 gigawatts in the first half of 2025, representing a 22 per cent increase compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
African Solar Growth on the Rise
Notably, Africa is beginning to see a surge in solar energy, with imports of solar panels from China increasing by 60 per cent over the past year. However, specific data regarding actual installations and deployment across the continent remains somewhat unclear.
Ember concludes, “2025 is on track to become another historic year for solar power. The figures not only underscore solar’s momentum but also highlight its crucial role in transforming the global energy landscape.”
