Solar accounted for three-quarters of new US generating capacity in the first five months of 2025, extending its lead as the largest source of new additions for the 21st consecutive month, according to the SUN DAY Campaign.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission data showed 11.5GW of solar was installed between January and May, representing 75.3% of new capacity, while wind added 2.4GW, or 15.6%.
Together, the two technologies comprised almost 91% of new capacity this year.
In May alone, solar delivered nearly 59% of new capacity with 1.5GW commissioned, including the 305MW Bright Arrow Solar & Storage project in Texas, the 300MW Papago facility in Arizona, and the 250MW Fairbanks Solar Energy Center in Indiana.
The combined installed capacity of solar (11.1%) and wind (11.8%) now provides almost a quarter of the nation’s utility-scale total. Including small-scale systems, renewables supply about one-third.
FERC forecasts show solar capacity will grow by almost 90GW by 2028, nearly four times the expected increase for wind, positioning solar to overtake coal and potentially wind within two years. Renewables overall could approach 40% of installed capacity within three years.
SUN DAY Campaign executive director Ken Bossong said: “FERC’s forecasts suggest that cleaner and lower-cost renewable energy sources will continue to grow, retaining their lead over coal and nuclear power while closing the gap with natural gas.”