Wind and solar energy together reached a record share of electricity generation in the United States in 2025, showing strong growth over the past two decades. Their combined contribution increased to 17% of total electricity generation, compared to less than 1% in 2005. This marks a significant shift in the country’s power mix toward cleaner energy sources.
In 2025, wind and solar power together generated about 760,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity. This was an increase of 88,000 GWh compared to 2024, reflecting steady expansion in renewable capacity. Wind power alone contributed 464,000 GWh, recording a 3% rise from the previous year. At the same time, utility-scale solar power saw a much faster growth, reaching 296,000 GWh, which is 34% higher than in 2024. Solar power generation at the utility level has consistently increased every year since 2006.
In addition to large projects, small-scale solar installations also played an important role. These systems, mainly rooftop solar, generated around 93,000 GWh in 2025, showing an 11% increase from the previous year. When both utility-scale and small-scale solar are combined with wind generation, their total share rises further to about 19% of overall electricity generation.
Despite this progress, most electricity in the United States still comes from dispatchable sources such as natural gas, coal, and nuclear power. These sources can produce electricity continuously and are not dependent on weather conditions. In 2025, such sources accounted for about 75% of utility-scale electricity generation.
Wind and solar are considered intermittent sources because they depend on the availability of wind and sunlight. However, their rapid growth highlights the increasing role of renewable energy in the U.S. power sector and the ongoing transition toward a more sustainable energy system.
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