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FERC Data Shows Solar Now Leads Wind in U.S. Capacity After 27-Month Surge

FERC's latest report points to solar's lead widening through 2028.

Overview

  • Solar and wind supplied 93% of U.S. capacity additions in November 2025, with solar alone accounting for 72% both for the month and year to date.
  • Utility-scale solar capacity has reached about 163.4 GW, edging past wind at roughly 160.9 GW, confirming a significant shift in the installed mix.
  • FERC reports 2.879 GW of solar came online in November across 38 units, including 13 projects of at least 100 MW and two of the largest in Texas: the 484.6 MW Parliament Solar and 256.3 MW Stampede Solar & Storage Expansion.
  • FERC’s high-probability outlook through November 2028 projects about 86.13 GW of additional utility-scale solar and 19.82 GW of wind, positioning solar to become the second-largest source of installed capacity behind natural gas.
  • Wind and solar now provide roughly 24% of U.S. utility-scale capacity and all renewables about 32.9%, with small-scale solar excluded from FERC’s tables likely lifting the renewable share well above one-third.