Solar, Wind and Batteries to Dominate New U.S. Power Capacity in 2026: EIA Data

Nearly all net new power generation capacity added in the United States in 2026 is expected to come from solar, wind and battery storage, according to an analysis by the SUN DAY Campaign based on newly released data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The review of EIA’s latest Electric Power Monthly report, which includes data through November 2025, indicates that renewable energy sources continue to expand at a pace that outstrips fossil fuels and nuclear power, both in electricity generation and installed capacity.

Solar Sets New Generation Records

Solar power remained the fastest-growing source of electricity in the U.S. during 2025. In November alone, electricity generation from utility-scale solar projects increased by 33.9% compared to the same month in 2024, while estimated small-scale solar, including rooftop systems, rose by 11.0%. Combined solar generation accounted for 7.2% of total U.S. electricity output in November, up from 5.9% a year earlier.

For the January–November 2025 period, total solar generation rose by 28.1% year-on-year, contributing just under 9% of national electricity production. Utility-scale solar represented 6.74% of output, while small-scale systems contributed 2.13%.

Wind Maintains Lead Among Renewables

Wind power continued to be the largest renewable electricity source, producing 10.1% of total U.S. electricity during the first 11 months of 2025. Wind generation increased by 1.2% over the same period in 2024, with November output rising 2.0% year-on-year.

Combined wind and solar generation accounted for 19.0% of U.S. electricity production through November, exceeding the shares provided by both coal and nuclear power. Wind and solar together generated 16.9% more electricity than coal and 10.1% more than nuclear plants during the period.

Renewables Approach One-Quarter of Total Generation

When including hydropower, biomass and geothermal energy, renewables produced 25.7% of total U.S. electricity during the first 11 months of 2025, up from 24.3% a year earlier. Renewable generation increased by 8.7% year-on-year, second only to natural gas, whose electricity output declined by 3.7% over the same period.

Capacity Additions Led by Solar and Storage

From January to November 2025, utility-scale solar capacity increased by 22,237 MW, while small-scale solar added 5,460 MW. Battery storage capacity saw a sharp expansion of 49.4%, adding 13,357 MW during the period.

Wind capacity also grew, with 4,234 MW added since the start of the year. In contrast, natural gas capacity increased by 4,152 MW, nuclear power added only 46 MW, and coal capacity declined by 4,141 MW. Petroleum-based generation capacity fell by 514 MW.

Overall, renewable energy capacity, including battery storage, expanded by more than 45 GW in the first 11 months of 2025, while combined fossil fuel and nuclear capacity declined slightly.

2026 Outlook: Renewables to Drive Nearly All New Capacity

Looking ahead, EIA projects that utility-scale renewable energy and battery storage capacity will increase by nearly 69.6 GW over the next 12 months. While EIA does not provide projections for small-scale solar, the SUN DAY Campaign estimates additional installations of at least 6 GW.

By contrast, natural gas capacity is expected to grow by about 4 GW, largely offset by projected coal retirements of 3.4 GW. No net additions are forecast for nuclear power.

If these projections are realized, renewables and battery storage would account for approximately 99% of net new U.S. generating capacity in 2026. By November 2026, total renewable capacity could reach nearly 509 GW, approaching the installed capacity of natural gas-fired power plants.

Solar capacity alone is projected to exceed that of wind, coal and nuclear power, although coal and nuclear plants would continue to operate at higher capacity factors.

Industry Response

Commenting on the findings, SUN DAY Campaign Executive Director Ken Bossong said the data demonstrates the continued momentum of renewable energy deployment in the U.S., despite political opposition in recent years.