Key facts
- China has 339 GW of utility-scale solar and wind power under construction, nearly double the global total.
- In 2023, China installed more solar capacity than in the prior three years combined and more than the rest of the world.
- Distributed solar, including rooftop installations, now makes up 41% of China's total solar capacity.
- China is innovating in renewable technologies, including high-altitude wind and advanced solar panels.
- The country is also testing powerful new offshore wind turbines.
China is solidifying its position as the world's leader in renewable energy development, with a massive buildout of solar and wind power capacity that significantly outpaces the rest of the globe. New data from Global Energy Monitor indicates that China has 339 GW of utility-scale solar and wind power under construction, nearly double the combined capacity of all other countries.
In 2023 alone, China installed more solar capacity than in the previous three years combined, and more than the entire world for that year. This surge is partly driven by the rapid expansion of distributed solar, which now accounts for 41% of the country's total solar capacity, often installed on residential rooftops. Newly installed wind capacity also saw significant growth, doubling year-on-year in 2023.
Beyond sheer scale, China is also pushing technological boundaries. Innovations include generating electricity from high-altitude winds, developing cheaper and more efficient solar panel alternatives to silicon, and trialing the world's most powerful offshore wind turbines. These advancements are occurring as China's total utility-scale solar and wind capacity reached 758 GW by the first quarter of 2024, with projections suggesting wind and solar will soon surpass coal in the country's energy mix.