BEIJING (Reuters) -China installed 12.6 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity in October, 30% more than the previous month, National Energy Administration (NEA) statistics showed, as installations continued to recover from a mid-year drop-off triggered by a new renewables pricing mechanism that created uncertainty for investors.
China’s solar panel installations surged in the first half of the year as developers sought to complete projects before the new policy, which removed a guaranteed rate of return, took effect.
Even with the mid-year dip, installations were up 39% from the 2024 level at 252.87GW from January to October, the Monday statistics from the NEA showed.
If new additions continue at the same pace for the rest of the year, 2025 solar installations will be just about on par with 2024’s record annual surge of 277GW.
The last months of the year have previously seen a spike in installations as developers rushed to complete projects before year-end, and some analysts have put full-year 2025 forecasts at closer to 300GW.
(Reporting by Colleen Howe; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
