How has global solar PV manufacturing capacity changed over the last decade?

Global solar PV manufacturing capacity has increasingly moved from Europe, Japan and the United States to China over the last decade. China has invested over USD 50 billion in new PV supply capacity – ten times more than Europe − and created more than 300 000 manufacturing jobs across the solar PV value chain since 2011.

How much new solar module manufacturing capacity was added in Q1 2025?

The U.S. solar industry added 8.6 gigawatts (GW) of new solar module manufacturing capacity in Q1 2025, marking the third-largest quarter for new manufacturing capacity on record. U.S. Solar Market Insight® is a quarterly publication of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)® and Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables.

Will China supply solar panels in 2025?

The world will almost completely rely on China for the supply of key building blocks for solar panel production through 2025. Based on manufacturing capacity under construction, China’s share of global polysilicon, ingot and wafer production will soon reach almost 95%.

How many jobs will the solar PV industry create?

The solar PV industry could create 1 300 manufacturing jobs for each gigawatt of production capacity. The solar PV sector has the potential to double its number of direct manufacturing jobs to 1 million by 2030. The most job-intensive segments along the PV supply chain are module and cell manufacturing.

How has China shaped the global supply and demand of solar PV?

Government policies in China have shaped the global supply, demand and price of solar PV over the last decade. Chinese industrial policies focusing on solar PV as a strategic sector and on growing domestic demand have enabled economies of scale and supported continuous innovation throughout the supply chain.

Will the solar industry continue to grow?

A significant portion of the increase came from China, which deployed around 250 GWdc of solar. Overall, analysts expect the industry to continue to grow, however the range of near-term growth projections is substantial. Notes: E = estimate; P = projection.