The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that solar power will be the fastest-growing source of electricity generation in the United States over the next two years. According to the January 2026 Short-Term Energy Outlook, total U.S. electricity generation is expected to increase in 2026 and 2027, with the combined share of solar and wind rising from around 18% in 2025 to about 21% in 2027. Nearly 70 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale solar capacity are scheduled to come online during this period, representing a 49% increase in U.S. solar operating capacity compared with the end of 2025.
This growth reflects solar’s expanding role in supporting rising power demand across the country. More battery storage capacity is also expected to be added to help integrate solar generation into the grid, particularly in regions with rapid demand growth. These trends underline the increasing importance of solar energy as a key contributor to the nation’s clean energy mix. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration – Short-Term Energy Outlook, January 2026
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
