Official solar capacity total
National Energy Administration of China
The regulator reported roughly 1.29 terawatts of installed solar capacity at the end of July 2026.
Based on: National Energy Administration of China
Verdict
True
Verification confidenceHigh
Explanation
Yes. Chinese government figures reported for the end of July show solar capacity at roughly 1.29 terawatts, slightly above coal-fired capacity, making solar China's largest power source by installed capacity.
China's National Energy Administration reported about 1.29 terawatts of installed solar capacity. A Chinese government portal gave the comparison with coal, and Reuters independently reported that solar had overtaken coal.
This milestone concerns nameplate capacity, not electricity actually produced. Solar output varies with sunlight, and Reuters reported that coal still supplied a substantially larger share of China's electricity generation.
Key takeaway
Solar now leads China's installed capacity, but coal remains the larger source of electricity actually generated.
Evidence
Supports the claim
Solar-to-coal capacity comparison
Wuhan Xinzhou District People's Government and Reuters
Government reporting and Reuters placed solar capacity slightly above coal-fired capacity at the end of July.
Based on: Wuhan Xinzhou District People's Government
Installed capacity is not generation
Reuters
Reuters reported that solar still lagged coal in actual electricity generation despite leading in installed capacity.
Based on: Reuters
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Verdict
True
Verification confidenceHigh