The latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows a shift in America’s electricity industry during the first nine months of 2025. Solar energy and battery storage continued to accelerate, while fossil fuels and nuclear power experienced minimal or no growth. The trend reflects how rapidly the U.S. power mix is tilting toward renewables supported by expanding storage capacity.
Utility-scale and small-scale solar set new benchmarks throughout September and the January-September period. In September, utility-scale solar generation rose by 36.1 percent compared to a year earlier, with small-scale solar up by 12.7 percent. Together, solar generated 9.7 percent of national power in September, rising from 7.6 percent a year ago. Over the first nine months of the year, total solar generation grew by 29 percent, delivering slightly more than 9 percent of U.S. electricity.
Utility-scale solar continued its recent lead over wind farms. Solar out-produced wind in July, August, and September, and when combined with rooftop systems, solar output exceeded wind generation for five straight months. In September, solar generated more than 40 percent above wind when small-scale systems were included.
Solar’s gains also overshadowed hydropower. Year-to-date solar generation surpassed hydropower output by nearly 65 percent, and in September alone, solar produced more than double the electricity generated by hydropower. Across September and the nine-month period, solar output exceeded the combined generation of hydropower, biomass, and geothermal.
Wind energy, despite slower growth, maintained its position as the largest renewable source. During the first nine months of 2025, wind produced 9.8 percent of U.S. electricity, up 1.3 percent year on year and 79 percent higher than hydropower generation.
Together, wind and solar contributed 18.8 percent of total U.S. electricity during January-September 2025, a significant rise from 17.1 percent in the same period of 2024. Their combined generation was 15.1 percent higher than coal and nearly 10 percent above nuclear power. Nuclear output slightly declined by 0.1 percent over the same period.
Across all renewable sources, including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, generation increased by 8.7 percent during the first three quarters of 2025. Renewables supplied 25.6 percent of total U.S. electricity, up from 24.2 percent a year earlier. Natural gas remained the largest power source, but its output dropped by 3.8 percent.
Renewables also continued to dominate capacity additions. Between October 2024 and September 2025, utility-scale solar capacity expanded by 31,619.5 MW, supplemented by 5,923.5 MW from small-scale systems. Battery storage capacity surged by 59.4 percent, adding 13,808.9 MW. Wind added 4,843.2 MW over the same period.
Fossil fuel capacity growth remained modest. Natural gas added 3,417.1 MW, nuclear power grew by just 46 MW, while coal capacity fell by 3,926.1 MW and petroleum-based systems dropped by 606.6 MW.
In total, renewable energy capacity, including battery storage and small-scale solar, grew by 56,019.7 MW during the past year. By contrast, combined fossil fuel and nuclear capacity declined by 1,095.2 MW.
EIA expects the momentum to accelerate. Over the next twelve months, utility-scale renewables and battery storage are projected to increase by 67,806.1 MW. Natural gas will see limited growth of 3,835.8 MW, while coal and oil capacity will continue to contract. No new nuclear capacity is forecast.
According to SUN DAY Campaign executive director Ken Bossong, the data shows that federal efforts to revive nuclear and fossil fuel development are not gaining traction. Solar, wind, and battery storage continue to expand at a pace that far outstrips traditional sources.