Solar Power Overtakes Wind Capacity for First Time in US

For the first time ever, solar power has surpassed wind as America's largest source of renewable electricity capacity. The shift happened quietly over 2025, but the numbers tell a story of remarkable progress.

Solar energy has been the top source of new power capacity every single month for 26 months straight. That streak runs from September 2023 through October 2025, according to data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The numbers are staggering. During those 26 months, solar capacity jumped from 92 gigawatts to 161 gigawatts. Wind added just 12 gigawatts during the same period, while natural gas barely grew at all with 7 gigawatts.

Solar accounted for 72% of all new US electrical capacity added in the first ten months of 2025. Wind contributed another 15%, meaning clean energy sources provided 87% of America's new power generation while fossil fuels added only 12%.

Together, wind and solar now make up nearly a quarter of America's total utility-scale power capacity. When you include rooftop solar panels on homes and businesses, renewables account for more than one-third of all US electricity generation.

The momentum isn't slowing down either. Federal forecasters predict solar will add another 90 gigawatts over the next three years, which would make it bigger than either nuclear or coal power.

The Ripple Effect

This clean energy boom is happening despite political headwinds, proving that economics and environmental benefits are driving the transition more than government mandates. Solar and wind installations create thousands of jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance across rural and urban communities alike.

The cost of solar panels has dropped so dramatically that adding new solar is now cheaper than running many existing coal plants. That's why utilities keep choosing renewables even when they have other options.

Wind is getting stronger too, with capacity additions up 55% compared to the previous year. Both technologies are improving rapidly while getting more affordable, making clean air and stable energy prices increasingly accessible to everyone.

Meanwhile, coal and oil are projected to lose over 21,000 megawatts of capacity in the next three years as cleaner, cheaper alternatives take over. Natural gas will likely remain the largest single source at 40%, but its dominance is shrinking as renewables gain ground.

The transformation shows how quickly our energy system can change when better technology becomes available. What seemed like a distant dream a decade ago is now our everyday reality, powering homes and businesses with sunshine and wind.