Global renewable energy investment fell to $327.5 billion in the first half of 2026, down 21% from a 2024 peak — but solar continues to grow at breakneck speed.
Investment in the first half of 2026 was roughly flat from the prior six months, according to a new report from BloombergNEF. The dip over the past few years was driven primarily by a major contraction of the offshore wind industry. Solar attracted the most investment among renewable energy subsectors during the first six months of the year as countries rush to build capacity as worries grow that global wars will continue squeezing energy supplies. Africa is set for a record year of solar installations, according to a new report from energy-focused think tank Ember.
China remains the biggest global market for renewables. However, its market share has shrunk: It now accounts for a quarter, while in 2022 it attracted over half of all global renewable energy investment.
