Renewable energy has strengthened its position in the U.S. power sector, with electricity generation from renewable sources increasing 10.1 percent during the first five months of 2026, according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Renewables accounted for 30.3 percent of total U.S. electricity generation, up from 28.2 percent in the same period of 2025, driven by growth in solar, wind, hydropower and battery storage.
Utility-scale solar power led the expansion, with electricity generation rising 21.6 percent year on year, while small-scale solar increased 12.8 percent.
Hydropower generation climbed 10.8 percent and wind power rose 4.8 percent.
In comparison, electricity generation from nuclear power plants increased 1.3 percent, natural gas generation grew 2.5 percent, and coal-fired electricity declined 10.9 percent.
Solar and wind together, including small-scale solar installations, supplied more than 22.2 percent of total U.S. electricity generation during the first five months of 2026.
Combined wind and solar generation exceeded coal-fired electricity output by 57 percent and produced 26 percent more electricity than the nation’s nuclear reactors. In May alone, solar generation surpassed electricity produced by either coal or wind individually.
Renewable energy capacity also expanded significantly over the past year. Between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, utility-scale solar capacity increased by 27,995.1 MW, while wind capacity grew by 10,252.6 MW and small-scale solar added 6,664.3 MW.
Together with hydropower, biomass and geothermal, total renewable generating capacity increased by 44,711.8 MW during the 12-month period.
Battery energy storage recorded another year of rapid expansion, adding 16,551.8 MW of utility-scale capacity. By comparison, coal-fired generation capacity declined by 2,235.6 MW, nuclear capacity fell by 27.6 MW, while natural gas capacity increased by 6,289.0 MW.
Looking ahead, the EIA projects another strong year for renewable energy deployment. Renewable energy’s share of total U.S. utility-scale generating capacity is expected to increase from 34.1 percent as of May 31, 2026, to 37.0 percent by May 31, 2027.
Utility-scale solar is forecast to add 43,971.9 MW of new capacity, increasing its share of total generating capacity from 13.1 percent to 16.1 percent. Wind power is projected to expand by another 9,414.4 MW, including 3,355.0 MW of offshore wind capacity, lifting its share from 13.4 percent to 13.6 percent. Hydropower, biomass and geothermal combined are expected to contribute an additional 284.2 MW.
Overall, utility-scale renewable energy is projected to add 53,666.0 MW of capacity during the next 12 months, representing 41 percent more growth than the 38,047.5 MW added during the previous year. Meanwhile, the EIA expects no new nuclear generating capacity and forecasts a net decline of 4,685.0 MW in fossil fuel generating capacity.
The outlook becomes even stronger when distributed solar is included. Small-scale solar capacity reached 62,088.6 MW after growing by 6,664.3 MW over the past year. Assuming another increase of roughly 6,000 MW by June 2027, total installed renewable energy capacity would reach approximately 542,096.3 MW, surpassing projected natural gas generating capacity of 514,845.1 MW.
Under this scenario, solar power alone would account for more than one-fifth, or 20.3 percent, of total U.S. electricity generating capacity.
Battery storage is also expected to maintain its rapid expansion. The EIA forecasts another 23,241.1 MW of battery storage capacity by June 1, 2027, representing an increase of almost 48 percent and bringing the national total to 72,002.0 MW.
Combined, utility-scale renewable energy and battery storage are projected to add 76,907.1 MW of new clean energy capacity by late spring 2027. Including anticipated small-scale solar additions, total new clean energy capacity could approach or exceed 83,000 MW.
Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign, said the accelerating deployment of solar, wind and battery storage demonstrates that clean energy growth continues despite policy challenges, with renewable technologies expanding their role in the U.S. electricity system at an even faster pace.
SHAFANA FAZAL
