On May 14, 2026, the IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS) released its 13th annual Snapshot of Global PV Markets, finding global cumulative installed PV capacity reached approximately 2,974 GW by end-2025, with annual installations of about 698 GWp.
The report flags that more than 300 GW of installed PV is now more than a decade old, making inverter replacement, repowering and end-of-life recycling immediate operational concerns. China alone commissioned 370 GW of new solar PV in 2025, 13% above 2024; the EU added nearly 70 GW (Spain a record 14 GW, Germany 17 GW).
Why it matters for Green Renewable Energy: At 698 GW/year, solar additions are now structurally close to triple wind — the renewable industry’s challenge is shifting from deployment to system integration.