Top 10 Countries by Solar Power Capacity 2026

The global solar power sector achieved unprecedented growth in 2025, with total installed capacity reaching 2,392 GW by the end of 2025 , according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). This ranking examines the world's leading solar markets based on cumulative installed capacity, drawing from IRENA's Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026 and the International Energy Agency's Global Energy Review 2026.

Key Statistics

Rankings

1. China

China dominates global solar capacity with 1,200 GW installed by the end of 2025 , representing 50.4% of global capacity . The nation added nearly 370 GW of solar PV in 2025 , according to the IEA's Global Energy Review 2026. By February 2026, China's total installed solar generation capacity reached 1,234 GW , according to the National Energy Administration.

Key Data (Source: IRENA, IEA, China NEA):

Total capacity: 1,200 GW (end-2025)

2025 additions: 370 GW

Accounts for 65% of global capacity alongside USA and India

2. United States

The US reached 210 GW of solar capacity at end-2025 , according to IRENA data, making it the world's second-largest solar market. The United States installed 49 GW of renewable capacity in 2025 , though this represented a decline from the previous year. Developers are forecast to add a record 43.4 GW of new utility-scale solar PV capacity to the US power system in 2026 , according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Key Data (Source: IRENA, IEA, EIA):

Total capacity: 210 GW (end-2025)

Cumulative capacity: 224.1 GW (end-2024)

Solar to account for 51% of new US capacity in 2026

3. India

India crossed the 150 GW milestone with cumulative installed solar capacity of 150.26 GW as of March 31, 2026 , according to India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. India ranks 3rd globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity, according to IRENA RE Statistics 2026 . India achieved its highest ever solar capacity addition in a fiscal year of 44.61 GW in FY 2025-26.

Key Data (Source: India MNRE, IRENA):

Total capacity: 150.26 GW (March 2026)

FY2026 additions: 44.61 GW

2025 calendar year additions: Nearly 50 GW

4. Japan

India has overtaken Japan to take fourth place with 124.6 GW as of end-2024, according to IEA PVPS data. Germany and Japan will both pass the 100 GW mark in 2025 . Japan has been a consistent top-tier solar market, though growth has moderated compared to earlier years.

Key Data (Source: IEA PVPS):

Total capacity: ~100+ GW (2025)

Previously reported at 89,077 MW (2023 data)

• Ranking: 4th globally

5. Germany

Germany remains the clear leader at 106 GW of solar capacity, according to IRENA 2026 data. Germany added 17 GW in 2025, accounting for one-quarter of total EU solar PV additions . The overall capacity has reached 90 gigawatts (GW) by the end of 2024 , with continued growth into 2025.

Key Data (Source: IRENA, IEA):

Total capacity: 106 GW (end-2025)

2025 additions: 17 GW

Solar contributes more than 14% to national electricity demands

6. Brazil

Brazil continued to grow with 14.3 GW added in 2024, bringing its cumulative capacity higher . By the end of 2024, Brazil's installed solar PV capacity had grown to roughly 53 gigawatts . The country has experienced rapid expansion in both utility-scale and distributed solar generation.

Key Data (Source: IEA PVPS, Statista):

Total capacity: ~53 GW (end-2024)

2024 additions: 14.3 GW

Planned utility-scale installations: More than 139 GW

7. Spain

Spain, Italy, and Poland have been growing fast in Europe's solar market. Spain hit a record 14 GW of solar PV additions in 2025, up 50% from 2024 , according to the IEA. In terms of MW of installed capacity, Spain is in second place in Europe, after Germany .

Key Data (Source: IEA, ENTSO-E):

• Total capacity: ~40+ GW (2025 estimate)

2025 additions: 14 GW

Solar represents 31.4% of Spain's generation fleet

8. Australia

Australia slowed down to 4.0 GW in 2024 annual additions. Australia maintains one of the world's highest per-capita solar capacities, with strong residential rooftop deployment. Australia's 17% solar penetration is among the highest globally .

Key Data (Source: IEA PVPS):

• Total capacity: ~35-40 GW (2025 estimate)

2024 additions: 4.0 GW

Solar penetration: 17% of electricity

9. Italy

European countries hold 3 of the top 10 spots (Germany, Spain, Italy) . In Italy, distributed systems accounted for approximately 80% of total solar PV additions, amounting to 5.3 GW in 2024 . Italy has historically been a strong European solar market with significant rooftop deployment.

Key Data (Source: IRENA, REN21):

• Total capacity: ~36-40 GW (2025 estimate)

2024 additions: ~5.3 GW

• Focus: Distributed and rooftop systems

10. South Korea

South Korea rounds out the top 10 with significant solar capacity growth in recent years. South Korea had 27 GW of cumulative installed capacity in 2024 . The country has focused on hybrid solar and storage systems to maximize grid integration.

Key Data (Source: IRENA):

Total capacity: 27 GW (2024)

• Focus: Hybrid solar-storage systems
• Ranking: 10th globally

Complete Rankings Table

Data Sources & Methodology

This article uses data exclusively from the following verified sources:

1. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) - Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026 (published March 31, 2026) and Renewable Capacity Highlights 2026
2. International Energy Agency (IEA) - Global Energy Review 2026 (published April 2026) and IEA PVPS Snapshot of Global PV Markets 2025
3. National Energy Agencies - India Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), China National Energy Administration (NEA), US Energy Information Administration (EIA)
4. Solar Data Atlas - IRENA 2026 H1 Edition processed data (July 2026)

Data Limitations:

Different agencies use varying methodologies for capacity measurement. IRENA reports end-of-year installed capacity in megawatts (MW) rounded to the nearest megawatt. The IEA uses both actual and estimated additions for regions where full-year data is not yet available. Some countries report in AC capacity while others use DC capacity, which can differ by up to 40% for utility-scale installations.

Rankings for positions 7-10 involve some estimation as exact end-2025 figures were not available for all countries at time of publication. Brazil, Spain, Australia, and Italy figures represent best available data from Q4 2024 through Q1 2026.

Last Verified: July 15, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What drove record solar growth in 2025?

Renewable power capacity increased by 692 GW (+15.5%) in 2025, with approximately three-quarters of the capacity expansion in the form of solar energy, which increased by 511 GW (+27.2%) , according to IRENA. China's renewable capacity expansion continued to increase in 2025, reaching a new record with nearly 500 GW of additions, accounting for over 60% of global growth .

How does solar compare to other renewable sources?

Of the 5,149 GW of renewable energy capacity in operation as of the end of 2025, solar accounted for 2,391 GW, the most of any energy source and almost double the 1,291 GW of wind capacity in operation , according to IRENA data.

What is the outlook for 2026 and beyond?

After two decades of continuous expansion, 2026 is expected to mark the first decline, with an 8% year-on-year contraction to 612 GW of new capacity in the medium scenario , according to SolarPower Europe. However, long-term growth remains strong, with annual installations projected to reach around 864 GW by 2030 .

This article contains only verified data from official sources. Statistics are current as of the dates noted. For corrections or updates, contact editorial@stakeandpaper.com.