US adds 26.6 GW of solar in 2025 as renewables dominate
Why it matters: The US grid will see up to 240 GW of solar added by 2028, while 40.8 GW of coal retires.
- US solar industry added 26,556 MW of new utility-scale capacity in 2025, comprising the majority of the 36,551 MW total new builds, according to FERC data.
- Solar now accounts for 12.16% of the total installed generating capacity in the United States, with natural gas remaining the largest share but facing increasing competition.
- Developers brought 1,193 MW of new capacity online in December 2025, including 17 solar units totaling 993 MW and a 200 MW wind project.
- Notable utility-scale completions include Iron Pine Solar Project (325 MW in Minnesota), Morrow Lake Solar & Storage Project (201.1 MW in Texas), and Top Hat Wind Energy Center (200 MW in Illinois).
- The three-year outlook (through 2028) projects 86.5 GW of "high probability" solar additions and 19.9 GW of wind, while over 40.8 GW of coal capacity is expected to retire.
- If all proposed additions are completed, solar could add as much as 240 GW to the US grid by the end of 2028, further cementing its position as the leading source of new American power generation.
The U.S. solar industry installed 26.6 GW of new utility-scale capacity in 2025, dominating new energy builds and solidifying its role as the primary driver of grid expansion, despite a slight dip from 2024. This growth is set to accelerate, with solar projected to add up to 240 GW by 2028, while coal capacity faces significant retirements.
