Solid insulating materials have been widely used in the fields such as electrical and aerospace engineering

and the surface charge accumulated in gas-solid or vacuum-solid interface has been recognized as the primary reason for causing electric field distortion and the reduction of surface insulation property

thus it is becoming one of the hottest research topics. We summarize and review the related research progress in surface charge of solid insulating materials

including the measurement methods

calibration algorithms

charge accumulation and decay behaviors

the influence of the charge on surface insulation property and the controlling methods of surface charge. Meanwhile

we put forward the suggestions for the ensuing researches so as to provide a reference to surface charge related research in the future.