IRENA Reports Record 511 GW Solar Growth in 2025, Meeting 75% of Renewables

IRENA reported 511 GW of solar added in 2025, accounting for nearly 75% of total renewable additions.

“On Wednesday, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released its numbers on what was built in 2025”

Ars Technica

This pushed total global renewable capacity to 5.15 TW.

Ars Technica

Solar capacity now totals approximately 2.4 TW, nearly double wind.

The expansion coincided with heightened geopolitical tensions.

Asia led the expansion, accounting for 74.2% of all new renewable capacity.

China remained the dominant contributor across technologies.

energynews.pro

Africa and the Middle East recorded their largest growth to date.

Central America and the Caribbean registered the lowest additions.

Renewables expansion came amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

“A total 511 GW of solar was added globally across 2025, according to the latest report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)”

pv magazine International

IRENA emphasized renewables as homegrown, low-cost and deployable immediately.

Countries investing in the energy transition are weathering crises with less economic damage.

Renewables are increasingly recognized as critical infrastructure.

Solar accounted for 511 GW of new capacity, 75% of all renewables.

Solar and wind combined accounted for 96.8% of all renewable additions.

PV Tech

Bioenergy added 3.4 GW, hydropower 18.4 GW, geothermal 300 MW.

Solar panels have become cheap enough to justify installations in less sun-rich areas.