Renewables to Dominate US Power Grid in 2026, Accounting for 99.2% of New Capacity

In a stunning testament to the accelerating energy transition, the United States is poised to add nearly 100% renewable energy capacity in 2026, according to newly released data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign. The analysis reveals that solar, wind, and battery storage projects will constitute an unprecedented 99.2% of all new utility-scale power generation capacity coming online next year.

This remarkable figure doesn’t even account for the massive growth in small-scale solar installations—rooftop panels and community solar projects—which would push the renewable share even higher if included in the calculations.

Solar Power Continues Its Meteoric Rise

Solar energy has firmly established itself as the fastest-growing electricity source in America. Through the first eleven months of 2025, utility-scale solar generation surged by an impressive 34.5% compared to the same period in 2024, while small-scale solar systems (primarily residential rooftop installations) grew by 11.3%. When combined, solar’s contribution to total U.S. electrical generation climbed to nearly 9.0%—with utility-scale solar providing 6.74% and small-scale systems adding another 2.13%.

This represents a significant jump from 2024, when solar accounted for just 7.1% of total generation. The trajectory suggests solar could surpass the 10% threshold by the end of 2026, marking a watershed moment in the nation’s energy landscape.

Wind Power Maintains Strong Momentum

Wind energy continues to be a powerhouse in the renewable sector, generating 10.1% of total U.S. electricity during the first eleven months of 2025. This represents a 1.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The growth was particularly robust in November 2025, when wind-generated electricity was 2.0% greater than the previous year’s November figures.

The steady expansion of both onshore and offshore wind projects across the country demonstrates the technology’s maturity and economic viability, even as federal policy discussions create uncertainty in some quarters of the energy industry.

Renewables Surpass Quarter Mark of Total Generation

The combined output from all renewable sources—including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal—produced 8.7% more electricity in January-November 2025 than during the same period in 2024. This growth has propelled renewables to represent 25.7% of total U.S. electricity production, up from 24.3% just twelve months earlier.

This milestone is particularly significant because renewables have now overtaken nuclear power to become the second-largest source of electricity in the United States, trailing only natural gas. The natural gas sector, meanwhile, saw its electrical output actually decline by 3.7% during the first eleven months of 2025, highlighting the shifting dynamics in the energy market.

Dramatic Capacity Shifts Since 2025

Since the beginning of 2025, coinciding with the start of the Trump administration, the United States has witnessed a dramatic transformation in its power generation capacity. Renewable energy capacity, including battery storage, small-scale solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass, ballooned by an extraordinary 45,198.1 megawatts (MW).

In stark contrast, all fossil fuel and nuclear power combined declined by 519.2 MW during the same period. This net reduction in traditional power sources, despite the administration’s stated preference for fossil fuels, underscores the powerful economic and market forces driving the energy transition.

2026 Capacity Additions Paint Clear Picture

Looking ahead to 2026, the EIA projects that natural gas capacity will increase by only 3,960.7 MW. However, this modest growth will be almost completely offset by a decrease of 3,387.0 MW in coal capacity, resulting in a net gain of just 573.7 MW from fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, the renewable sector is preparing to add tens of thousands of megawatts of new capacity. Solar projects alone are expected to dominate new installations, with wind and battery storage also contributing significant additions. This massive influx of clean energy capacity will further accelerate the displacement of fossil fuels in the nation’s electricity mix.

Economic and Market Forces Driving the Transition

The overwhelming dominance of renewables in new capacity additions reflects fundamental economic realities. Solar and wind have become the cheapest sources of new electricity generation in most parts of the country, often undercutting the operating costs of existing coal and nuclear plants.

Additionally, the dramatic cost reductions in battery storage technology have made it possible to deploy reliable, 24/7 renewable energy systems that can compete directly with fossil fuel plants. The combination of low-cost generation and increasingly affordable storage is creating an unstoppable economic momentum behind the clean energy transition.

Implications for Grid Reliability and Energy Security

The rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity raises important questions about grid reliability and energy security. However, the concurrent growth in battery storage capacity is addressing these concerns by providing the flexibility and dispatchability traditionally associated with fossil fuel plants.

Modern grid operators are developing sophisticated strategies to integrate high levels of variable renewable generation while maintaining or even improving system reliability. The combination of geographic diversity in renewable resources, advanced forecasting techniques, and grid-scale storage is proving capable of supporting a reliable, resilient electricity system powered primarily by clean energy.

Environmental and Climate Benefits

The shift toward renewable energy represents a crucial step in addressing climate change and reducing air pollution. Each megawatt of renewable capacity that replaces fossil fuel generation eliminates thousands of tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, along with harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

The scale of the transition underway—with renewables accounting for 99.2% of new capacity—will accelerate these environmental benefits significantly. The continued retirement of coal plants, combined with the rapid expansion of clean energy, positions the United States to make substantial progress toward its climate goals, even in the absence of comprehensive federal climate policy.

Global Context and Competitive Implications

America’s renewable energy boom is occurring against the backdrop of intense global competition in clean energy technologies. Countries around the world are racing to dominate emerging industries like solar manufacturing, wind turbine production, and battery technology.

The United States’ aggressive deployment of renewable energy capacity positions it well in this global competition, creating demand for domestic manufacturing and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in the clean energy sector. However, maintaining this leadership position will require continued investment in domestic supply chains and manufacturing capabilities.

Looking Beyond 2026

While the 2026 projections are impressive, they likely understate the long-term potential of renewable energy. As technology continues to improve and costs decline further, the economic advantages of renewables will only increase. Many energy analysts project that renewables could provide 50% or more of U.S. electricity by 2030, with the possibility of reaching 80-90% by 2035 with appropriate policy support and continued technological advancement.

The 99.2% figure for 2026 new capacity represents not just a milestone but a clear indication of the direction of travel for the U.S. power sector. Despite political rhetoric favoring fossil fuels, market forces and technological progress are driving an irreversible transition toward a clean energy future.

Tags

renewable energy, solar power, wind energy, battery storage, clean energy transition, US electricity generation, energy policy, climate change, grid modernization, energy economics, sustainable development, green technology, power sector transformation, environmental protection, energy security, technological innovation, market forces, fossil fuel decline, energy independence, zero-emission power

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