According to the authors of the newly released report, the unprecedented surge in solar power during 2025 was primarily propelled by a massive expansion in hardware installations and a dramatic drop in the cost of equipment. Significant contributions from major economies, particularly China, allowed solar to meet three-quarters of the entire world’s growth in electricity demand.
“Unlike coal’s increase in 2021, solar additions reflect structural capacity expansion rather than fluctuations in demand.” Furthermore, the report notes that the record growth was “partly due to the sharp drop in solar panel prices, which fell by 90% between 2015 and 2024.”
In simpler terms, the solar boom wasn’t just a temporary reaction to people using more power; instead, it happened because countries built a record-breaking number of new solar farms and rooftop panels. This construction was made much easier and more affordable because the cost of the solar panels themselves has plummeted over the last decade, making solar the cheapest option for new power in many parts of the world.
The report “Global Electricity Review 2026” was published by the energy think tank Ember on April 21, 2026. Prepared by a team of researchers led by Nicolas Fulghum, the study offers a comprehensive overview of how clean energy met all global electricity demand growth over the past year.
