For the first time, China’s installed solar power capacity has exceeded that of coal, signaling a major shift in the energy infrastructure of the world’s largest energy market. Data released by the National Energy Administration (NEA) on Tuesday confirms that by the end of July, China’s photovoltaic capacity reached 1,286 gigawatts. This figure now accounts for 31.5% of the country’s total installed power capacity.

The NEA has characterized this transition as a "signature achievement" in the nation's broader strategy to move toward green and low-carbon energy sources. While this milestone reflects the rapid growth of renewable infrastructure, it represents a change in *installed capacity*—the maximum potential output of the power plants—rather than the actual amount of electricity generated or consumed. Coal remains a significant component of China's active energy grid, as solar and wind power are intermittent and often require different grid management strategies compared to traditional coal-fired plants.