For the first time in history, solar energy generated 10% of global electricity in April 2025, surpassing nuclear and wind power, according to Ember's Electricity Data Explorer. This milestone marks solar as the fourth-largest global electricity source, trailing only coal, gas, and hydro. The shift reflects accelerating global adoption of renewables amid growing climate concerns and falling solar costs.

In China, wind and solar combined accounted for 26% of electricity generation—the first time these sources contributed over a quarter of the country’s monthly power output. This global trend underlines a significant transformation in energy mix priorities, with solar emerging as a key player in reducing carbon emissions. Ember’s report highlights how rapidly the energy landscape is evolving, placing renewable energy at the center of global power strategies and marking a pivotal moment for the clean energy transition.