China added a record 60 GW of new solar capacity in the first quarter of 2025, with rooftop installations accounting for 36 GW – the highest quarterly total for distributed PV in the country’s history, according to Rystad Energy.
The surge came as developers rushed to meet deadlines tied to the National Energy Administration’s (NEA) updated guidelines, issued in October 2024 and effective in May.
The new rules emphasize self-consumption to alleviate grid congestion and reduce dependence on centralized power plants. They also align with China’s dual carbon targets of peaking emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Rystad Energy said it expects rooftop PV growth to continue into the second quarter, with distributed solar additions for the year forecast to reach 130 GW – comprising 92 GW of commercial and industrial (C&I) projects and 38 GW of residential.
