GreenergyDaily

May. 25, 2026

China's new solar installations remained subdued in April, highlighting persistent weakness in domestic demand after years of rapid renewable energy expansion.

A total of 9.52 gigawatts of solar capacity was added last month, according to data from the National Energy Administration. While the figure represents a slight improvement from the 8.91 gigawatts added in March, it marks a 79% plunge from the year-earlier level of 45.22 gigawatts, when policy changes drove a massive surge in installations.

The weakness is also evident in manufacturing, with solar cell output retreating 26% in April, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

However, export markets remained resilient. Despite Beijing's recent removal of export tax rebates for clean-tech shipments, solar cell exports surged 60% by volume from a year earlier in April, according to data released by China's General Administration of Customs.

China also added 5.49 gigawatts of wind power in April, while newly installed thermal power additions were 3.97 gigawatts, according to the NEA.