A review of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) data by the Sun Day Campaign shows that solar and wind continue to drive the growth of US generating capacity in 2025. In the first nine months of the year, utility-scale solar accounted for over three-quarters of new capacity, with September alone seeing 98% of additions from solar. Year-to-date, wind added more capacity than natural gas, while the combined growth of all renewables represents nearly 89% of new capacity.
FERC reports that 567 utility-scale solar units installed between January and September added 21,257 MW, compared with 3,724 MW for wind and 3,161 MW for natural gas. Solar’s capacity has grown from 91.8 GW in September 2023 to 158.4 GW, while wind now totals 158.4 GW. Together, wind and solar represent almost one-fourth of US installed utility-scale capacity, with total renewable share—including hydro, biomass, and geothermal—reaching 32.5%. Accounting for small-scale solar systems could push total renewables past 41% of national capacity.
FERC forecasts strong continued growth for renewables through 2028. High-probability net additions are expected to reach 90,614 MW for solar and 23,093 MW for wind, far exceeding projected expansions in natural gas, nuclear, or other fossil fuels. Coal and oil capacity is expected to decline, while natural gas would provide less than 38% of total capacity by 2028 if current trends continue.
The data underline a clear transition in the US power sector: renewables are increasingly dominant in new generation capacity, while fossil fuels and nuclear are either growing slowly or contracting.
