Solar power generation is projected to increase by approximately 600 TWh by 2025, the largest increase ever, even when considering all power generation technologies.
Solar power generation is expanding in countries around the world and is gaining prominence in terms of electricity generation. The International Energy Agency (IEA) released its 'Global Energy Review 2026' report on April 20, 2026, which summarizes global energy demand and electricity supply trends for 2025.
Global Energy Review 2026 – Analysis – IEA
According to the Global Energy Review 2026, global solar power generation increased by approximately 600 TWh in 2025. Excluding exceptional years with sharp demand recovery following global economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, this increase was the largest on record for any power generation technology. The graph below shows the increase in power generation by power generation technology from 2024 to 2025, with light blue representing 2024 and blue representing 2025.
Furthermore, a significant feature is that solar power will account for approximately 70% of the total increase in electricity generation worldwide in 2025. The graph below shows the proportion of solar power in the annual increase in electricity generation from renewable energy and nuclear power, and it can be seen that the proportion of solar power has increased by more than 30% between 2024 and 2025.
From an energy demand perspective, solar power increased by more than 25% of the total new energy demand worldwide in 2025. The pie chart below shows how much of the total energy increase, including not only electricity but also oil, natural gas, and coal, was supported by each energy source. Solar power became the first modern renewable energy source to achieve the largest share of this increase.
Furthermore, the adoption of solar power generation facilities is also expanding. According to the IEA, the total amount of newly installed renewable energy capacity worldwide in 2025 will be approximately 800 GW, with solar power accounting for more than three-quarters of that. New installed capacity of solar power will exceed 600 GW for the first time. The cumulative capacity of solar power generation facilities installed to date has reached approximately 2,800 GW, making solar power the most widely adopted power generation technology in the world. The graph below shows the annual installed capacity by technology from 2015 to 2025, with light blue representing solar power, blue representing wind power, and yellow-green representing other renewable energy.
Looking at the installed capacity of solar power generation facilities by region, China is showing particularly strong growth. In 2025, the newly installed capacity of solar power generation facilities in China was approximately 370 GW, accounting for about 55% of the total increase in solar power generation worldwide in 2025. The graph below shows the installed capacity of solar and wind power generation in China in 2024 and 2025, with light green representing solar power and green representing wind power.
Furthermore, changes in regulations also played a role in the significant increase in solar power generation facilities in China. According to the IEA, China was scheduled to transition from a system of purchasing electricity generated from solar power at a fixed price for a long period to a competitive bidding system in June 2025. As a result, the installation of solar power facilities was brought forward to the first half of the year, and the pace of installation slowed down thereafter.
Solar power generation facilities are being introduced in countries and regions other than China. In 2025, the newly installed capacity of solar power generation facilities was approximately 70 GW in the EU, 50 GW in India, 43 GW in the United States, 12.6 GW in Brazil, 6 GW in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 7 GW in Saudi Arabia. Although the newly installed capacity in the United States and Brazil decreased compared to the previous year, the introduction of solar power is still continuing. The graph below shows the installed capacity of solar and wind power generation in each country and region in 2024 and 2025, with light green representing solar power and green representing wind power.
While the new solar power capacity installed in the United States is projected to decrease in 2025, the amount of electricity generated is projected to increase by 35% year-on-year, surpassing the amount generated by hydroelectric power.
In the US, solar power generation is projected to increase by 35% year-on-year by 2025, finally surpassing hydropower - GIGAZINE
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol stated that 'electricity consumption is growing at a much faster rate than overall energy demand, and solar power is growing faster than any other power source,' indicating that solar power is gaining a stronger presence in supporting ever-increasing electricity demand.
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