US Wind & Solar Reach Record 760,000 GWh – 17% of Power Grid

U.S. Wind and Solar Generation Hits Record High: 760,000 GWh, Supplying 17% if the Nation’s Power Grid

Wind and utility-scale solar generated a record 760,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in the United States during 2025. Together, they supplied 17% of all U.S. utility-scale electricity, up from less than 1% in 2005. The increase highlights the rapid growth of renewable energy across the country.

Wind remained the largest renewable electricity source. It generated 464,000 GWh in 2025, about 3% more than the previous year. Utility-scale solar grew much faster, reaching 296,000 GWh, a 34% increase from 2024. Solar has now increased its output every year since 2006.

Small-scale solar also continued to expand. Rooftop and other distributed solar systems produced an estimated 93,000 GWh in 2025, up 11% from the previous year. When combined with utility-scale solar, total wind and solar generation supplied about 19% of all U.S. electricity generation.

The rapid growth is being driven by new renewable energy projects across the country. Falling equipment costs, larger solar farms, and expanding battery storage have helped utilities add more clean electricity to the grid. Rising power demand from AI data centers, manufacturing, and electrification is also encouraging new renewable investments.

Despite the record growth, wind and solar remain weather-dependent energy sources. Dispatchable power plants, including natural gas, coal, and nuclear, continued to provide the majority of reliable electricity. Together, these sources supplied about 75% of U.S. utility-scale generation in 2025.

The EIA expects renewable generation to continue growing over the next two years. Utility-scale solar is forecast to be the fastest-growing electricity source, while battery storage will help deliver more renewable power during periods of high demand and after sunset.

Energy analysts say the latest figures mark another milestone in the transformation of the U.S. electricity sector. Wind and solar are supplying a growing share of the nation’s power, while dispatchable generation remains essential for maintaining grid reliability. The combination of renewables, storage, and conventional power plants is expected to shape the future U.S. energy mix.

Sources:

• U.S. Energy Information Administration – 2026
• Electric Power Monthly