U.S. Solar And Renewables Surge In 2025, Reaching Nearly 26% Of Power Generation And Setting New Records

U.S. solar power generation continued to break records in November and across the first eleven months of 2025, reinforcing its position as the fastest-growing source of electricity in the country. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s latest Electric Power Monthly report, solar power is expanding at a pace far ahead of other major electricity sources and is steadily increasing its share in the national energy mix.

In November alone, electricity generation from utility-scale solar projects grew by nearly 34 percent compared to the same month last year. At the same time, small-scale solar systems such as rooftop installations recorded an 11 percent increase. When combined, total solar generation rose by more than 27 percent year-on-year and accounted for 7.2 percent of total U.S. electricity production for the month. This was a notable jump from the 5.9 percent share recorded in November 2024, highlighting how quickly solar is becoming a mainstream source of power.

The strong growth trend was also visible over the January to November period. During the first eleven months of 2025, utility-scale solar output increased by about 34.5 percent, while small-scale solar generation rose by over 11 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Together, solar power generation grew by more than 28 percent and contributed close to 9 percent of total U.S. electricity generation, up from just over 7 percent a year earlier.

Wind power continued to lead among renewable energy sources in terms of overall contribution. Wind turbines generated more than 10 percent of total U.S. electricity during the first eleven months of 2025, marking a modest increase from last year. In November alone, wind generation was 2 percent higher than in November 2024. When wind and solar are combined, they now provide nearly one-fifth of all U.S. electricity, a larger share than either coal or nuclear power.

Overall, renewable energy production, including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, also showed steady progress. During the first eleven months of the year, renewables generated nearly 26 percent of total U.S. electricity, up from about 24 percent during the same period last year. Renewable energy is now second only to natural gas in terms of electricity generation, even as natural gas output declined by nearly 4 percent year-on-year.

Capacity additions during 2025 clearly show where the U.S. power sector is heading. Between January and November, utility-scale solar capacity increased by more than 22 GW, while small-scale solar added another 5.5 GW. Battery storage saw especially rapid growth, expanding by almost 50 percent and adding over 13 GW of new capacity. Wind power also recorded solid additions, while coal capacity continued to decline sharply. Natural gas and nuclear power saw minimal growth by comparison.

Looking ahead to 2026, the EIA expects these trends to continue and even accelerate. Almost all new generating capacity planned for the coming year is expected to come from renewable energy and battery storage. If projections hold, renewables will account for more than 99 percent of net new capacity additions, with solar alone set to overtake wind, coal, and nuclear in terms of installed capacity.

Commenting on the data, SUN DAY Campaign Executive Director Ken Bossong said efforts by the Trump Administration to slow the growth of wind and solar have not succeeded. He added that the continued expansion of renewable energy shows it is becoming an unstoppable force in the U.S. power sector, regardless of political resistance.