IEA: Solar Overtakes All Other Energy Sources in Global Growth for First Time in History

The International Energy Agency announced on April 19, 2026, that solar power overtook all other energy technologies as the single largest contributor to global energy supply growth in 2025 — a historic first. Solar added 600 terawatt-hours of generation, the largest single-year increase ever recorded for any power technology. With 510 GW of new solar capacity installed in 2025 alone, the world now has approximately 2,392 GW of cumulative solar PV capacity. Battery storage emerged as the fastest-growing power technology, with 110 GW of new capacity added. The IEA also confirmed that global EV sales exceeded 20 million units in 2025 — 1 in 4 new cars sold globally — up from 17 million in 2024. Combined, these trends confirm that the clean energy transition is accelerating at a pace that consistently outpaces even the most optimistic mainstream forecasts.