China has once again demonstrated its global dominance in solar energy, setting a new benchmark in renewable energy expansion. In May 2025, the country installed a staggering 93 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity-more than any other country has managed in the entire year. This figure, released by China’s National Energy Administration on June 23, not only reflects Beijing’s continued push for renewable energy but also raises concerns about the long-term health of the solar manufacturing industry in the face of regulatory, economic, and geopolitical headwinds.

The sheer scale of China’s May installation is almost difficult to comprehend. For perspective, the total global solar capacity added in all of 2023 was approximately 239 GW, with China contributing about half of that. Yet in just one month this year, the country has added nearly 40% of that amount. The 93 GW figure is also more than four times the capacity China installed in May 2024 and significantly surpasses the previous monthly record of 71 GW, set just last December.

This surge is not a mere coincidence-it is a result of a rush to complete projects before new regulations went into effect. On May 1, a policy came into force that made it more difficult for rooftop solar systems to connect to the national grid. Another change on June 1 removed pricing protections that had guaranteed favorable returns for solar investments. These shifts triggered a race against time for developers, who accelerated construction to beat the deadline and lock in previously secured profits.

Combined with robust installations in April, May’s........

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