U.S. Solar and Wind Power Hit Record Highs in 2025

The United States shattered clean energy records in 2025, generating more electricity from solar and wind than ever before.

According to Climate Central's analysis of federal energy data, America produced 853,210 gigawatt-hours of electricity from solar and wind last year. That's more than triple what the country generated just nine years earlier in 2016.

Solar power led the charge with impressive 28% growth compared to 2024, while wind energy expanded by 3%. Together, these renewables now generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 79 million average American homes.

The numbers tell a remarkable story of transformation. Between 2016 and 2025, U.S. solar electricity generation grew more than sevenfold, while wind power doubled across the country.

California and Texas emerged as solar superstars, together producing 40% of all U.S. solar power in 2025. Texas alone dominated wind energy, generating 28% of the nation's wind electricity—nearly three times more than second-place Iowa.

Small-scale solar installations like rooftop panels and community solar systems contributed about 24% of total solar generation. This shows clean energy isn't just about massive solar farms but also individual homeowners taking action.

The growth reached almost every corner of America. Solar generation increased in all 50 states plus Washington D.C., while wind generation expanded in 36 states over the past decade.

The Bright Side

What makes this progress even more exciting is that clean energy keeps getting cheaper. The cost of solar power plummeted 76% between 2010 and 2024, while wind costs dropped 51% during the same period.

Those dramatic price drops came from improvements in technology, smarter manufacturing, and better project deployment. Globally, wind and solar are now the most cost-competitive sources for new electricity generation.

This means families and businesses can save money while helping the planet. States like Texas, California, Florida, Iowa, and Illinois saw the largest combined growth in solar and wind generation over the past decade, proving that clean energy works across different climates and political landscapes.

America's clean energy future is already here, growing stronger and more affordable every year.