Solar power surpasses natural gas in Asia for the first time, driven by China, India, and falling panel costs

Solar electricity generation in Asia has overtaken natural gas for the first time, according to a Carbon Brief analysis. In the 12 months through April 2026, solar produced 1,727 terawatt-hours across the region, edging out gas at 1,711 terawatt-hours. China led the expansion, contributing nearly three quarters of Asia's solar growth since 2020 and reaching 1.2 terawatts of installed capacity by 2025. Lower panel costs and large-scale manufacturing have also accelerated deployment in India, Pakistan, and other markets. Gas growth has lagged due to supply disruptions, high liquefied natural gas costs, and delays at import terminals and pipelines. The shift has implications for carbon emissions and air quality, particularly in densely populated parts of Asia. Replacing gas with solar cuts planet-warming pollution and reduces harmful air pollutants tied to fossil fuel use. The analysis also notes that in April 2026, global wind and solar combined surpassed gas generation for the first time in a single month.