Global solar capacity reaches 2.96 TW following 690 GW in new installations

solar energy capacity photovoltaic installations IEA-PVPS report renewable energy growth distributed solar

Global solar capacity reached a cumulative 2.96 TW by the end of last year, according to the IEA-PVPS Trends in Photovoltaic Applications 2026 report. This capacity is theoretically capable of generating approximately 3,845 TWh annually, which accounts for roughly 12% of global electricity consumption.

In 2025, global solar additions reached approximately 690 GW, representing a 15% increase over 2024 installations. China led the world with 415 GW of new capacity, accounting for 60% of global installations. India followed with 54 GW, the United States with 43 GW, Germany with 18 GW, and Pakistan with 14 GW.

Centralized solar systems accounted for 410 GW of new installations, led by China (256 GW), India (42 GW), and the United States (35 GW). Distributed solar also saw significant growth, reaching a record 282 GW in 2025, up from 228 GW in 2024. China led the distributed segment with 159 GW, followed by Pakistan, India, Germany, and Brazil.