China just set a new world record in solar energy, installing a staggering 93 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity in a single month, more than any other country installed in all of 2024.

This historic leap came just before the rollout of new regulations aimed at curbing solar subsidies and reshaping the domestic market.

The record-breaking figure, reported by China’s National Energy Administration and cited by Bloomberg, easily surpassed the country’s previous monthly high of 71 GW set in December 2024. According to estimates from BloombergNEF, no other nation came close to this level of installation over the entire previous year.

The surge was largely driven by companies rushing to complete projects before a major policy shift on June 1, which ended guaranteed pricing protections for solar operators. A separate rule change from May 1 has also made it harder to connect rooftop panels to the power grid.

Analysts expect the new rules to cool down solar expansion through the summer, with both supply and demand now facing a transition period. This slowdown could further pressure Chinese solar manufacturers already reeling from a tough market environment.

Most of China’s top solar equipment producers posted losses in the first quarter of 2025, citing overcapacity, plummeting prices, and mounting trade challenges, especially under renewed U.S. tariffs following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency.

Industry leaders have warned that the sector faces a critical need for consolidation. Without it, ongoing price wars and excessive production could continue dragging the market into deeper financial trouble.