BloombergNEF has cut its 2026 global solar installation forecast to 584GW, down 10.8% from 655GW in 2025, and the downgrade is almost entirely a China story. The consultancy now expects China to install 271GW this year, a 29% fall from an estimated 383GW in 2025, while installations outside China grow 15% to 313GW.
The revision is the third in succession. BNEF pencilled in 753GW for 2026 in the first quarter of 2025 and 649GW last December; the latest figure is 29% below that early-2025 view. The China number has been cut in the same direction, from 341GW in BNEF's fourth-quarter 2025 outlook to 271GW now.
Edited by Lucas Wang, wangchenghao@mysteel.com
