Fact Check: "China's solar capacity surpasses 1,000 GW, half of the world's total."
What We Know
As of May 2025, China's solar power capacity has indeed surpassed 1 terawatt (1,000 GW), reaching approximately 1,080 GW. This represents a significant year-on-year increase of 56.9% (pv magazine). China's rapid expansion in solar capacity is attributed to various factors, including favorable government policies and a strong push towards renewable energy as part of its energy transition strategy (pv magazine, The Guardian).
Furthermore, it is reported that China's solar capacity accounts for about half of the world's total installed solar capacity, which is a remarkable achievement given the global context (The Guardian). The country's dominance in the solar sector is underscored by its substantial share of the global market, which is estimated to be between 55% and 60% (pvknowhow).
Analysis
The claim that "China's solar capacity surpasses 1,000 GW, half of the world's total" is supported by multiple credible sources. The National Energy Administration (NEA) of China confirmed that by the end of May 2025, the cumulative installed solar capacity had reached 1,080 GW (pv magazine). This figure is corroborated by other reports indicating that China is projected to continue expanding its solar installations significantly, with forecasts suggesting that the country will add between 200 GW and 230 GW of new solar capacity in 2024 alone (pvknowhow).
The assertion regarding China's share of the global solar capacity is also backed by data indicating that China's solar capacity constitutes around half of the total global installations (The Guardian). This statistic is critical in evaluating the claim's validity, as it highlights China's leading role in the renewable energy sector.
While the sources cited are generally reliable, it is important to note that some may have inherent biases, particularly those that are industry-focused or linked to government entities. However, the consistency of the data across multiple independent sources strengthens the credibility of the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "China's solar capacity surpasses 1,000 GW, half of the world's total" is accurate. China's solar capacity has indeed exceeded 1,000 GW, reaching approximately 1,080 GW as of May 2025, and it represents about half of the global total. This information is supported by credible reports from the NEA and other industry analyses, confirming China's leading position in the solar energy sector.
