Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Wind and Solar Supplied 17% of U.S. Power in 2025 as EIA Sees Record 2026 Builds

Fresh federal data signals surging solar plus battery growth in the year ahead.

Overview

  • New EIA reporting shows utility-scale wind and solar reached 17% of U.S. electricity in 2025, rising to 19% when small-scale rooftop and community solar are included.
  • EIA projections for 2026 point to record capacity additions led by solar at 51% of planned builds, with batteries at 28% (about 24.3 GW) and wind at 14%.
  • Battery storage expanded rapidly over the past year with 15,788.8 MW added, and EIA lists 22,713 MW more in developers’ plans over the next 12 months.
  • Climate Central, using EIA data, counted a record 853,210 GWh from wind and solar in 2025, with solar providing 46% of that total and wind 54%.
  • State leaders are shifting the map of clean power, with California and Texas producing 40% of U.S. solar in 2025 and Texas alone generating 28% of U.S. wind.