China's distributed generation (DG) solar cell arrays have developed to a level comparable to that of utility scale sites. According to data from the National Energy Administration (NEA), of the 216.3 gigawatts of new solar power capacity added in China in 2023, approximately 96.3 gigawatts will be for commercial and industrial (C&I), residential, and other small and medium-sized systems. The 23.8 gigawatts of distributed systems installed in the first quarter of 2024 exceeded the capacity of 21.9 gigawatts of ground installation projects.

The solar power generation capacity of public utilities is leading, closely by industrial and commercial systems. In recent years, residential photovoltaic power generation has been continuously increasing. In 2012, after trade disputes with the United States and Europe hit Chinese solar exporters, China launched the "Golden Sun Plan" and "Leader Plan", which promoted an increase in solar power generation.