Surface brightening has been observed in China since 2005. However, it remains unclear whether the brightening has accelerated recently in response to the strictest ever air pollution control policies since 2013. By combining intensive surface and satellite observations, we find an unprecedented rapid increasing trend in surface solar radiation (SSR) of 0.70–1.16 W m⁻² yr⁻¹ over the eastern and central China for 2014–2019. Using a novel method to identify the relative contributions of aerosol and cloud radiative effects to the SSR trends, we find that the strongly declining aerosol radiative effect due to the strict air pollution controls is the main cause of the upward SSR trends; cloud variations should not be the main reason. Distinction exists in seasonal trends of SSR, with decreasing trends in winter and increasing trends in other seasons. Air pollution controls play an important role in regulating SSR, which has valuable implications for photovoltaic power generation.