Global Solar Installations Break Records
Solar power is growing faster than any other energy source on the planet. The first half of 2025 has seen record-breaking installation as countries around the world raced to add new capacity and meet rising demand for clean, reliable electricity. With solar becoming more affordable and accessible than ever, both large-scale developers and homeowners are driving a global shift in how we produce power. This article explores what’s fueling the boom, which countries are leading, and what this means for the future of energy security.
Global Solar Installations Surge in 2025
Global installations of solar panels, also called photovoltaics, didn’t just increase again in 2025, but they grew with a record-breaking jump. Let’s take a look:
Record Jump — 380GW Added in First Half
The first half of 2025 saw 380GW of new capacity added compared to 232GW from the same time in 2024, a record-breaking 64% increase. Not only that, but the annual milestone of 350GW of new capacity was reached in June, versus not until September of 2024, showing the industry’s accelerating growth.
Solar Is Now the Fastest-Growing Source of New Electricity Generation
In 2024, global photovoltaic output rose by 28% compared to 2023. This rapid growth now makes photovoltaics the world's fastest-growing source of electricity.
Not only is solar the fastest-growing source of energy, but according to the IEA, it's on track to become the largest renewable energy source by 2029, surpassing the production of both hydro and wind power. This is driven in part by supportive government policies, declining manufacturing costs, and its modular design, which makes it easy to start small and scale up.
It’s not just commercial photovoltaics that are expanding. Residential customers are also choosing photovoltaics for its low cost, convenience, and energy independence.
Even residential customers on a strict budget can get into photovoltaics. You can start small with a single EcoFlow 400W Rigid Solar Panel to recharge batteries. Then, as your budget allows, add additional photovoltaic panels and battery storage to create a whole-home solar generator solution.
Countries Leading the Way in New Solar Capacity
Which countries are leading the way in new solar capacity? The results may surprise you.
China: 256GW — More Than Twice the Rest of the World Combined
China is leading the way in global photovoltaic production, adding 256GW in 2025. This accounts for a whopping 67% of all the new global capacity added this year. This is also an increase for China compared to 2024, when it accounted for 54% of new photovoltaic installations during the same time frame.
Government policies, renewable energy targets, manufacturing cost advantages, and the relatively low cost of equipment are driving the industry's growth in China.
Emerging Leaders: India and the United States
The two countries that follow China don’t even come close, each adding just a fraction of the new capacity. Still, India added a fairly impressive 24GW of capacity. Its industry is supported by strong government backing and favorable solar geography.
The next runner-up may be surprising, given recent government actions to dissuade the renewable energy industry in favor of fossil fuels. Despite that, the US installed 21GW of new capacity in 2025, continuing its traditional 4% annual growth rate.
Despite the loss of some incentives, US residents can still benefit from the falling costs of photovoltaics. And with increasingly severe weather and grid failures, more people are turning to whole-home backup power that relies on photovoltaic batteries. These reduce your reliance on the grid while promoting grid resilience and providing energy independence, since if the grid does go down, you’ll still have power.
For instance, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Solar Generator (PV220W) starts at 1024Wh and can be expanded to 5kWh with additional batteries, making it a perfect home backup solution.
What This Boom Means for the Energy Transition
What does this boom mean for the future of energy? Is it just a fad that is going to fade away like last season’s latest internet trend? No, photovoltaics are here to stay.
Reducing Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Despite shifting policies on fossil fuels versus renewable energy, a report from the US Energy Information Administration shows that developers are still planning to add about 21GW of additional photovoltaic capacity in the second half of 2025.
Also, renewables made up an impressive 91% of the 15GW of new power generation that came online in the USA in the first five months of 2025, showing that the world is still moving forward to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Grid Stability, Renewables Integration, and Energy Security
The most important implication for homeowners for this boom in photovoltaics is that the more we integrate renewables, the more energy security we have at home, and the more stable our grid will be.
The nice thing about home solar systems is their scalability to meet any homeowner’s needs and budget, allowing even those with the tightest budgets to achieve energy security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Country Led Global Solar Installations?
In 2025, China installed 256GW of new solar capacity, accounting for 67% of all new global capacity. China was followed by India with 24GW and the United States with 21GW of new capacity.
What Is Driving the Growth in Solar Installations?
The growth of solar installations is primarily driven by economics. The falling costs, scalability, and government incentives for photovoltaic panels and battery storage make it affordable for everyone. The prospect of free energy for ~20 years after the solar payback period also makes it very appealing.
Global Solar Installations Are Accelerating Fast
The surge in global solar installations in 2025 signals a long-term shift rather than a passing trend. With record capacity additions, falling costs, and strong adoption across residential and commercial sectors, photovoltaics are rapidly becoming the backbone of the clean energy transition. For homeowners, scalable solar-plus-battery systems are more accessible than ever, offering energy security, savings, and resilience during outages. If you’re looking to take the next step toward reliable home backup power, EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Solar Generator (PV220W) provides a flexible path into the future of clean energy.