U.S. solar eclipses wind
Total installed capacity of solar has officially surpassed wind energy capacity in the U.S. as the technology continues its 27-month streak as the leading source of new additions to the grid, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
FEBRUARY 2, 2026 RYAN KENNEDY
INSTALLATIONS
UTILITY SCALE PV
UNITED STATES
Image: Pixabay
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November 2025 marked the 27th consecutive month that solar was the number one source of new generating capacity in the United States. Since September 2023, solar has remained the top monthly contributor of new generating capacity added in the U.S.
Of the 35,321 MW total added to the grid in the first 11 months of 2025, solar contributed 25,467 MW. For comparison, wind followed at 15.8% (5,563 MW), while new natural gas additions lagged behind at 11.8% (4,179 MW).
The November data confirmed a major shift in the U.S. energy landscape: Utility-scale solar capacity has officially surpassed wind capacity.
Total solar capacity now stands at 163.4 GW compared to 160.9 GW for wind. This transition is notable because, just a few years ago, wind’s installed base was significantly larger. The rapid expansion of solar, driven by falling costs, has allowed it to close the gap and take the lead.
Image: FERC
While natural gas remains the largest single source of total U.S. capacity at 43.1%, coal has dropped to 14.7%. Solar has climbed to 12.6% of the total mix, followed by wind at 12.4%, nuclear at 7.9%, and hydropower at 7.5%.
These figures only include utility-scale projects. When including small-scale rooftop solar, which adds significant volume to the nation’s power, renewables now comprise over one-third of total U.S. capacity.
FERC’s high probability additions through November 2028 suggest that solar’s growth is only accelerating. Over the next three years, FERC expects 86,130 MW of solar and 19,821 MW of wind to be added.
During that same period, natural gas is expected to add only 8,983 MW while coal is projected to see 19,741 MW in retirements.
If these projections hold, solar is on track to become the second-largest source of installed capacity in the U.S. by 2028, trailing only natural gas.
New solar projects added in November 2025 include:
- Sebree Solar Project: 250.0 MW (Henderson County, KY)
- Black Hollow Sun LLC: 150.0 MW (Pueblo County, CO)
- Eldorado Solar Project: 150.0 MW (Saline County, IL)
- Daggett 1 Project: 149.0 MW (San Bernardino County, CA)
- Escape Solar Plant: 115.0 MW (Lincoln County, NV)
- Bluebird Solar Project: 100.0 MW (Harrison County, KY)
- Faraday Solar Projects (Units A-G): Seven units at 85.3 MW each (Utah County, UT)
- Bronson Solar Project: 74.5 MW (Levy County, FL)
- Faraday Solar Projects (Units H-J): Three units at 55.8 MW each (Utah County, UT)
- Richland Township Solar II Project: 10.8 MW (Marshall County, IL)
- Project Oneida East Solar Facility: 7.1 MW (Oneida County, NY)
- Pope Creek Solar Project: 5.7 MW (Mercer County, IL)
- Geer Rd Solar 2 Project: 5.0 MW (Washington County, NY)
- Lincoln LI18 Solar: 5.0 MW (Livingston County, IL)
- Longleaf Pine Solar Project: 5.0 MW (Davie County, NC)
- New Paris Road Solar 1: 5.0 MW (Oneida County, NY)
- Nexus NSF Edmeston 1 Project: 5.0 MW (Otsego County, NY)
- Pivot Solar 32 Project: 5.0 MW (Morgan County, CO)
- Williams Solar Project: 5.0 MW (Johnston County, NC)
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