China’s Solar Installations Decline for 4th Month Running

China’s new solar installations fell for a fourth straight month in April, remaining well below levels seen a year earlier.

China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) reported that 9.52 gigawatts of new solar capacity were added last month. This was a small rise from 8.91 gigawatts in March but far below the 45.22 gigawatts installed in April 2025.

The administration released the latest figures on Monday in its bulletin covering power statistics for the first four months of 2026. By the end of April, China’s total installed solar capacity reached 1,250 gigawatts, up from about 1,240 gigawatts at the end of March.

Solar panels have become a major part of China’s plan to expand to renewable energy and cut its reliance on coal. The country remains the world’s largest installer of solar systems.

Chinese official statistics from the NEA are generally used by international analysts, though China’s energy data as a whole has long faced questions over accuracy and potential influence from political priorities.

The latest monthly drop continues a slowdown that started earlier this year. The decline follows policy reforms introduced in 2025, which ended guaranteed prices for most new solar output from projects and moved toward market-based pricing. This encouraged developers to complete projects quickly before the new rules took full effect on June 1, 2025.

Data from the NEA show new solar installations surged in the months leading up to the deadline. May 2025 alone recorded 93 gigawatts added—the highest monthly figure on record—as developers rushed to connect projects under the previous support system.

The NEA has described the current period as one of market-oriented reform for new energy development. Chinese officials have spoken of the need for steadier progress after the earlier rapid expansion.

The sharp fall from last April’s figure reflects how developers rushed installations to beat the policy change deadline. Monthly additions have since cooled as the market adjusts.

China’s overall power generation capacity stood at 3,990 gigawatts by the end of April, according to the same data release. Renewables such as solar and wind now form a growing portion of new capacity added each year.

The administration publishes these statistics on a regular basis using cumulative totals. Monthly additions are calculated by comparing one report with the previous one.

In the past, rapid solar growth helped China expand its clean energy output quickly. Last year saw record installations driven by the old support system.

The current slower pace comes as the sector shifts toward projects that rely more on market prices and local power use.

No further comment on the April numbers was issued with the raw statistics. The next national power update is due in late June.