Record-breaking clean energy shift: Solar and wind power accounted for 96% of new US power capacity during the first quarter of 2025
In a significant shift in the U.S. energy landscape, solar and wind power have taken the lead in new utility-scale capacity additions, according to the latest data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
In the first four months of 2025, solar and wind together accounted for nearly 96% of all new capacity added in the U.S. Solar alone contributed 77.7%, with wind accounting for 18.0%. This marks the 20th consecutive month that solar has taken the lead, adding 9,451 MW, while wind added 2,183 MW, compared to just 511 MW from natural gas and 11 MW from oil.
This trend of growing renewables capacity outpacing traditional fossil fuels is evident in the total installed utility-scale capacity share. As of 2025, natural gas holds the largest share at 43.3%, followed by coal at 15.8%. However, renewables, particularly wind and solar, are rapidly growing. Together, they now make up 22.8% of total installed utility-scale capacity, with renewables overall (including hydropower, biomass, and geothermal) accounting for about 31.8%.
The data shows that solar has moved into fourth place behind natural gas, coal, and wind in total capacity share. Projections indicate that renewable energy capacity, led by solar and wind, is set to continue expanding vigorously, potentially surpassing natural gas capacity within a few years.
By May 1, 2028, solar is expected to account for one-sixth (16.6%) of US installed utility-scale generating capacity. The net new "high probability" capacity additions by all renewable energy sources over the next three years would total 113,516 MW.
The rapid growth of solar and wind power is not without its challenges, however. The Trump Administration's policies may pose a threat to solar and wind growth in the coming years. Nevertheless, the shift towards renewable energy sources is undeniable, reshaping the U.S. electricity generation mix.
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[1] FERC Reports: Solar and Wind Power Dominate New U.S. Utility-Scale Capacity Additions in 2025 [2] U.S. Energy Information Administration: Monthly Electric Generator Inventory Report [3] EnergySage Market Intelligence: Solar and Wind Power Dominate New U.S. Utility-Scale Capacity Additions in 2025
- The shift towards green energy, as demonstrated by the increasing use of solar and wind power, is being influenced by advancements in science and technology, providing opportunities for environmental-science studies to analyze and optimize this transition.
- As more electric vehicles hit the road due to the growing renewables capacity, data-and-cloud-computing solutions will be essential for managing distributed energy resources, facilitating a smart grid, and mitigating climate-change impacts related to transportation.
- The rapid expansion of solar and wind power, despite facing challenges from certain policies, is expected to continue reshaping the U.S. energy landscape, highlighting the potential of these clean energy sources to play a significant role in dampening the environmental impacts of traditional fossil fuels.
