China adds 102.48GW of solar capacity in first half of 2024

The export value of solar items has dropped from last year, however.

Alfie Shaw July 25 2024

China has bolstered its solar power generating capacity, adding a total of 102.48GW of new solar installations between January and June 2024, according to data released by China’s National Energy Administration.

The 102.48GW of new solar installations represents year-on-year growth of 30.68%.

The second quarter (Q2) of the year saw a notable increase, with an average of more than 17GW of new installations per month.

However, Wang Bohua, honorary chairman of the China PV Industry Association, said he predicts the total installed capacity in China in 2024 to be between 190GW and 220GW. Considering new installed capacity last year was 216.88GW, it seems he does not expect solar to grow rapidly for the rest of the year.

Furthermore, China’s solar export model has struggled this year due to a decline in industrial chain prices limiting profits. According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, between January and June this year, the export value of China’s PV materials fell by 35.07% from 2023 to $18.98bn.

Despite such issues, China remains a world leader in the global solar market. Of the 371.7GW of global solar capacity added last year, China topped the charts, accounting for more than half of additions, while runner-up the US followed with only 24.1GW.

China installed more solar power alone last year than the entire world commissioned the previous year. China’s cumulative solar capacity stood at 609.5GW as of 2023, followed by the US, Japan and India with 172.5GW, 91.6GW and 84.8GW, respectively.

Beyond solar, the country is also a leader in the wind energy market. Total solar and wind capacity reached 758GW in Q1 2024, according to the think tank Global Energy Monitor. Wind and solar combined now account for 37% of total power capacity in the country, an 8% increase from 2022.

Uncover your next opportunity with expert reports

Steer your business strategy with key data and insights from our latest market research reports and company profiles. Not ready to buy? Start small by downloading a sample report first.

Newsletters by sectors

close

Sign up to the newsletter: In Brief

Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Thank you for subscribing

View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network.

close