Data analysis reveals a decisive shift in the U.S. electricity landscape, with solar energy and battery storage leading the growth and challenging traditional fossil fuel and nuclear capacities in 2025.
New data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), analysed by the SUN DAY Campaign, underscores a decisive shift in the country’s electricity generation landscape through the first nine months of 2025. Solar energy and battery storage have surged ahead as the fastest-growing segments, leaving fossil fuels and nuclear power trailing with stagnated or declining output and capacity.
In September 2025 alone, utility-scale solar generation , systems larger than 1 megawatt (MW) , expanded by more than 36.1% compared to the same month a year prior. Small-scale solar, which typically includes distributed sources like rooftop photovoltaic panels, also grew by 12.7% in that timeframe. Combined, solar energy accounted for 9.7% of total U.S. electricity generation in September, a noticeable increase from 7.6% in September 2024. This striking growth was fuelled by a 35.8% rise in utility-scale solar thermal and photovoltaic systems and an 11.2% increase in small-scale solar generation in the first nine months compared with the previous year.
For several consecutive months in 2025, utility-scale solar output has surpassed wind energy production, even when including smaller-scale solar systems. In September, solar generated over 40% more electricity than wind, indicating solar’s ascendance as the leading renewable energy source. However, wind remains a critical player, contributing 9.8% of U.S. electricity during the January–September period, a 1.3% increase year-on-year, and significantly exceeding hydropower output by 79%.
Together, wind and solar sources delivered 18.8% of total U.S. electricity in the first nine months of this year, up from 17.1% for the same period in 2024. Their combined output already exceeded coal by 15.1% and nuclear power by 9.8%. While wind and solar have grown, nuclear generation slightly declined by 0.1%.
Overall renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, produced 25.6% of U.S. electricity from January through September 2025, rising by 8.7% over the previous year. This figure now places renewables only behind natural gas, which saw a 3.8% drop in electricity production during this period.
Capacity expansions reflect these generation trends emphatically. Utility-scale solar capacity expanded by an impressive 31,619.5 MW over the past year, accompanied by 5,923.5 MW of additional small-scale solar capacity. Battery storage, a critical enabling technology for integrating variable renewables into the grid, grew by 59.4%, adding 13,808.9 MW within the same timeframe. Wind power also grew robustly, with 4,843.2 MW added.
Looking ahead, the EIA projects continued strong growth for solar, with an expected 35,210.9 MW of new utility-scale solar capacity over the next year. Battery storage additions are forecast to be even more substantial, with 22,052.9 MW in planned new capacity, underpinning the increasing role of flexible energy storage solutions in the energy transition. Wind additions are also expected to be significant, including 9,630 MW onshore and 800 MW offshore.
Conversely, fossil fuel and nuclear capacity have contracted or barely grown. Coal capacity decreased by 3,926.1 MW, petroleum-based capacity fell by 606.6 MW, and nuclear power added a marginal 46 MW in the last year. Natural gas shows limited growth, with only 3,417.1 MW added. The forthcoming year is expected to see further declines in coal (down 5,857 MW) and minimal growth in natural gas (3,836 MW), with no projected expansions in nuclear capacity.
The aggregate result is a renewable and battery storage capacity increase of 56,019.7 MW in the past year, contrasted with a combined decline of 1,095.2 MW for fossil fuels and nuclear power. This trend portrays a clear shift away from traditional energy sources toward renewables and storage.
Ken Bossong, executive director of the SUN DAY Campaign, commented on these developments by highlighting the limitations of recent policy efforts under the prior administration to revitalise nuclear and fossil fuels. “Capacity additions from solar, wind, and battery storage continue to dramatically outpace those from gas, coal, and nuclear, and by growing margins,” he said.
For professionals in industrial decarbonisation, these data and forecasts from the EIA underscore the mounting imperative to integrate solar and storage technologies within energy strategies. The rapid expansion of renewables, enabled by advances in battery storage, is reshaping the U.S. power sector’s capacity and generation mix, further marginalising fossil fuels and nuclear power. Keeping abreast of these trends is essential for stakeholders aiming to align with evolving market dynamics and regulatory environments supporting a carbon-neutral future.
- https://electrek.co/2025/12/01/eia-solar-storage-fossil-fuels-september-2025/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_a – The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s ‘Electric Power Monthly’ report provides detailed data on electricity generation and capacity in the United States. The September 2025 report indicates that utility-scale solar generation increased by over 36.1% compared to September 2024, while small-scale solar PV grew by 12.7%. Combined, these sources contributed 9.7% of the nation’s electrical output in September 2025, up from 7.6% in the same month the previous year. This underscores the rapid expansion of solar energy in the U.S. during this period.
- https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_b – The EIA’s data reveals that, in the first nine months of 2025, utility-scale solar capacity expanded by 31,619.5 MW, with an additional 5,923.5 MW from small-scale solar. This growth significantly outpaced other energy sources, highlighting solar energy’s dominant role in the U.S. energy landscape during this period. The report also projects continued strong growth, with an expected addition of 35,210.9 MW of utility-scale solar capacity in the next 12 months.
- https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_c – According to the EIA’s data, between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, battery storage capacity in the U.S. grew by 59.4%, adding 13,808.9 MW of new capacity. This substantial increase underscores the rapid expansion of energy storage solutions, which are crucial for integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind into the power grid. The EIA also notes that planned battery capacity additions over the next year total 22,052.9 MW, indicating continued growth in this sector.
- https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_d – The EIA’s data indicates that, during the first nine months of 2025, wind energy contributed 9.8% to the U.S. electricity mix, marking a 1.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth highlights wind energy’s expanding role in the nation’s renewable energy portfolio. Additionally, the combined generation from wind and solar sources provided 18.8% of the total U.S. electricity during this period, up from 17.1% in the first three quarters of 2024.
- https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_e – The EIA’s data shows that, in the first nine months of 2025, renewable energy sources (wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal) produced 25.6% of the total U.S. electricity, an 8.7% increase from the previous year. This growth underscores the accelerating shift towards renewable energy in the U.S. power sector. In contrast, natural gas experienced a 3.8% decline in electrical output during the same period, indicating a relative stagnation in fossil fuel generation.
- https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_f – The EIA’s data indicates that, between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, renewable energy capacity, including battery storage, small-scale solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass, increased by 56,019.7 MW. In contrast, the combined capacity of all fossil fuels and nuclear power declined by 1,095.2 MW during the same period. This trend highlights the accelerating transition towards renewable energy sources in the U.S. power sector.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative presents recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) up to September 2025, indicating a significant shift in the U.S. electricity generation landscape. The earliest known publication date of similar content is November 28, 2025, in a Reuters article reporting on U.S. oil production reaching a record high in September. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-oil-production-rose-record-high-september-eia-data-shows-2025-11-28/?utm_source=openai)) The report is based on a press release from the EIA, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative includes updated data and does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative includes a direct quote from Ken Bossong, executive director of the SUN DAY Campaign: “Capacity additions from solar, wind, and battery storage continue to dramatically outpace those from gas, coal, and nuclear, and by growing margins.” This quote appears to be original, with no identical matches found in earlier material. No variations in wording were noted.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Electrek, a reputable organisation known for its coverage of renewable energy topics. The data is sourced from the EIA, a credible and authoritative source. The SUN DAY Campaign, cited in the report, is a non-profit organisation advocating for renewable energy, which adds credibility to the narrative.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and align with recent trends in renewable energy growth and fossil fuel stagnation. The EIA’s projections of continued strong growth for solar and battery storage are consistent with other reports, such as the EIA’s projection of a record 64 GW U.S. power capacity buildout in 2025, with solar leading the way. ([pv-magazine.com](https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/08/21/eia-projects-record-64-gw-us-power-capacity-buildout-in-2025/?utm_source=openai)) The tone and language used are consistent with typical corporate and official language. No excessive or off-topic details were noted.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents recent and original data from the EIA, supported by credible sources and consistent with current trends in renewable energy growth. No significant issues were identified in terms of freshness, quotes, source reliability, or plausibility.
