China installed 93 gigawatts of photovoltaic capacity in May 2025, breaking the previous record and adding more than all EU countries combined in a single year.

China has achieved a new world record in solar power, installing 93 gigawatts in May 2025, exceeding the European Union's total contribution for a full year. This achievement comes amid a transition to a market-based system, abandoning previous subsidies. Although China is the biggest investor in renewable energy, it continues to be the biggest global polluter. However, investment in clean energy led to a 1.6% reduction in CO2 emissions in the first quarter of 2025.