As of late July 2026, China’s installed solar power capacity officially surpassed that of coal-fired generation for the first time, establishing solar as the country’s largest source of electricity-generating infrastructure.
This milestone stands in stark contrast to the industry’s struggles just over a decade ago. At that time, many small and medium-sized manufacturers were fighting for survival, while even leading firms reported substantial losses — forcing some to shutter operations entirely.
Today, however, China not only holds the world’s largest installed solar capacity year after year but has also cultivated the most comprehensive and globally competitive solar value chain.
The development of China’s solar industry has valuable lessons for nurturing and growing emerging industries. It was the unwavering pursuit of high-quality development, the full and accurate implementation of the new development philosophy, and accelerated efforts to foster a new development paradigm that enabled China’s solar industry to turn challenges into opportunities and build up strength for sustained growth.
China is now at a critical stage of shifting from old growth drivers to new ones and upgrading its industrial structure, with businesses in some sectors facing new circumstances and challenges.
How was such a dramatic transformation achieved in little more than ten years?
Read more at this link: https://en.people.cn/n3/2026/1010/c90000-20506908.html
Source: People’s Daily, Oct 10, 2026.
