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China solar capacity surpasses coal for the first time
China's installed solar photovoltaic capacity has surpassed its coal-fired power capacity for the first time, according to data from the National Energy Administration. By the end of July 2026, solar capacity reached 1,286 gigawatts, narrowly exceeding the 1,285 gigawatts of installed coal capacity.
Solar energy now accounts for 31.5 percent of China's total installed power generation capacity. The solar sector's growth remains robust; in July alone, the country added 13.73 gigawatts of new solar capacity, representing a 43 percent increase compared to the same month last year. Of the total solar capacity, 704 gigawatts come from centralized plants, while 582 gigawatts are from distributed systems.
This milestone is part of China's broader energy transition toward green and low-carbon sources. In the first seven months of the year, solar power generation reached 802.4 billion kWh, a 15.5 percent increase year-on-year. Solar energy's share of total electricity consumption in China has risen to 13 percent, up 1.7 percentage points from the previous year.
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Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Solar energy accounts for 31.5 percent of China's total installed power capacity. greennews.rs
- [● 4 SOURCES] Solar capacity includes 704 gigawatts from centralized plants and 582 gigawatts from distributed systems. greennews.rs · www.eeo.com.cn · www.rossodisera.info
- [● 4 SOURCES] Solar power generation in the first seven months of the year reached 802.4 billion kWh. greennews.rs · www.eeo.com.cn · it.euronews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] In July, China added 13.73 gigawatts of new solar capacity, a 43 percent increase year-on-year. greennews.rs · www.rossodisera.info · www.eeo.com.cn
- [● 9 SOURCES] China's installed solar capacity reached 1,286 gigawatts by the end of July. greennews.rs · www.rossodisera.info · www.eeo.com.cn · oglobo.globo.com · yucatanalamano.com · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Solar power's share of total electricity consumption in China reached 13 percent. greennews.rs · www.eeo.com.cn
- [● 9 SOURCES] Solar energy capacity has surpassed coal capacity for the first time in China. greennews.rs · www.rossodisera.info · www.eeo.com.cn · oglobo.globo.com · yucatanalamano.com · +3 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] China's installed coal power capacity stood at 1,285 gigawatts at the end of July. greennews.rs · www.rossodisera.info · www.eeo.com.cn · oglobo.globo.com · yucatanalamano.com · +3 more