Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Report Says China Outperforms US in Clean Energy Race
A new report compared China and the United States in clean energy.
It found that China has invested much more money since 2019.
China also has a larger share of the world’s solar and wind power.
About half of global electric-vehicle sales were in China by June 2026.
Chinese companies are also exporting many electric vehicles and making clean-energy equipment.
The United States and some other countries are considering rules to limit Chinese products.
These rules could slow China’s growth in clean-energy markets.
The report says rising electricity demand, including from data centers, may encourage more green-energy investment.
China invested $673 billion in clean energy since 2019, compared with $249 billion by the United States.
By June 2026, China held 49% of global installed solar capacity and 50% of wind capacity.
China accounted for half of global electric-vehicle sales and recorded $43 billion in EV exports in the first half of 2026.
Chinese companies captured 57% of announced global clean-energy manufacturing investments in 2026.
Potential tariffs and restrictions in the United States, Europe, and Mexico could affect China’s clean-energy expansion.
- Who
- Atlas Public Policy compared China and the United States, with findings concerning Chinese companies and other clean-energy markets.
- What
- The report says China leads the United States in clean-energy investment, deployment, manufacturing, and exports.
- When
- The report covers developments since 2019 and data through the first half of 2026, including figures through June 2026.
- Where
- The comparison concerns global clean-energy markets, with specific figures for China, the United States, Europe, and Mexico.
- Why
- China’s larger investments, manufacturing base, renewable-energy deployment, and exports have given it a stronger position in the clean-energy race.
China’s Clean-Energy Expansion
Trade and Supply-Chain Restrictions
China’s global market position
China’s Clean-Energy Expansion
China’s larger investments, renewable-energy capacity, manufacturing activity, and exports show that it currently dominates key clean-energy markets.
Trade and Supply-Chain Restrictions
The United States, Europe, and Mexico have concerns about importing Chinese products and are considering tariffs, investment controls, or restrictions on Chinese vehicles and components.
Future investment growth
China’s Clean-Energy Expansion
The report says rising electricity demand, especially from data centers, could drive further green-energy investment led by China.
Trade and Supply-Chain Restrictions
The report says overcapacity and United States policy-driven project cancellations are contributing to an investment slowdown, while new trade policies could change China’s growth trajectory.
- Clean-energy investment since 2019
- United States: $249 billion; China: more than $673 billion
- Global solar capacity in China
- 49% as of June 2026
- Global wind capacity in China
- 50% as of June 2026
- Global EV sales in China
- 50% as of June 2026
- Chinese EV exports
- $43 billion in the first half of 2026, compared with $24 billion in the first half of 2025
- 2026 clean-energy manufacturing investment share
- Chinese companies captured 57% of announced global investments
- First-half 2026 net clean-energy investment
- China: $16 billion; United States: $5 billion