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Despite recent federal policy rollbacks on renewable energy, solar power remains firmly on track to become the second-largest source of U.S. utility-scale generating capacity.
According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), between July 2025 and June 2028, solar additions are projected to exceed 92,600 megawatts (MW) more than four times the growth expected from wind, the next fastest-growing resource. This marks the highest growth forecast for solar and wind so far in 2025, underscoring strong momentum even in the face of policy challenges.
Meanwhile, traditional energy sources are losing ground. Coal and oil capacity are projected to decline significantly, nuclear shows no new growth, and natural gas additions are modest at under 9,000 MW. Even so, the electricity generated from new solar capacity will be over four times greater than that from new gas projects. Market demand and innovation are proving stronger than federal headwinds.
By mid-2028, solar is expected to account for 17.1% of the nation’s installed capacity, surpassing both coal and nuclear, and second only to natural gas. Installed solar will likely outpace wind this year and exceed coal by the end of next year. The message is clear: solar’s growth is resilient, transformative, and central to America’s energy future.
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