The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said that solar energy accounted for nearly 9 percent of total U.S. electricity generation in the first half of 2025, while wind and solar combined contributed over 20 percent. Together with hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, renewable energy sources supplied nearly 28 percent of the nation’s electricity during the period.
Solar Power Surges to Record Highs in 2025
According to EIA’s latest Electric Power Monthly report (with data through June 30, 2025), solar remained the fastest-growing source of electricity in the United States.
In June 2025, utility-scale solar generation jumped by 30.1 percent year-over-year, while small-scale (rooftop) solar increased by 10.5 percent. Combined, solar power grew 25 percent and supplied 10.2 percent of total U.S. electricity that month.
For the first six months of 2025, utility-scale solar rose 37.6 percent, while small-scale solar grew 10.7 percent. Together, they expanded by 29.7 percent and generated 8.7 percent of total U.S. electricity, up from 6.9 percent in the first half of 2024.
Significantly, solar power outproduced hydropower by nearly 45 percent in the first half of 2025 and is now generating more electricity than hydropower, biomass, and geothermal combined.
Wind Energy Holds Strong Share
Wind power supplied 11.6 percent of U.S. electricity in the first six months of 2025—almost double the share of hydropower. Wind output grew by 2.4 percent year-over-year, maintaining its position as a leading renewable source alongside solar.
Wind + Solar Surpass Coal and Nuclear
The combination of wind and solar delivered 20.3 percent of U.S. electricity generation in January–June 2025, up from 18.6 percent a year earlier.
Wind and solar together generated 25 percent more electricity than coal.
Their output also exceeded nuclear power generation by 15.6 percent.
This milestone highlights the accelerating shift toward renewables as dominant energy sources in the U.S. grid.
Renewables’ Share Nears 30 percent
The total mix of renewables — wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal — grew 9.2 percent in the first half of 2025, nearly triple the growth rate of total U.S. electricity generation (3 percent). Collectively, renewables supplied 27.7 percent of U.S. electricity, up from 26.1 percent in the first half of 2024.
Only natural gas generated more electricity, but its output declined by 3.7 percent in the same period.
Policy and Outlook
“EIA’s latest data reflect the situation prior to enactment of the Trump/Republican megabill which may adversely impact future renewable energy growth,” noted Ken Bossong, executive director of the SUN DAY Campaign. “Nonetheless, EIA notes that U.S. developers expect half of new electric generating capacity to come from solar in 2025 and another 13 percent from wind.”
GreentechLead.com News Desk