China's installed solar capacity has reached 1,288 GW, surpassing coal's 1,285 GW for the first time. Solar now accounts for 31.5% of the country's total installed generation capacity, moving coal to second place.
Despite the capacity lead, coal remains the primary energy source for actual generation. In the first half of 2026, coal accounted for 49.7% of electricity generation, while wind and solar combined contributed 24.6%. This is the first time coal has fallen below 50% of total generation.
The growth of solar installations has slowed this year following the elimination of feed-in tariffs that guaranteed prices for generators. However, installations continue because solar power remains cheaper to build than most other forms of electricity generation.
Total coal use has increased this year due to rising electricity demand and higher prices for fossil gas. Nevertheless, the reduction in oil consumption driven by the rise of electric vehicles has offset this increase, leading to a 1% drop in China's total emissions in Q2.
