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Solar power and battery storage are driving U.S. electricity growth, while fossil fuels and nuclear energy show minimal expansion, according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Analysis by the SUN DAY Campaign, using the EIA’s Electric Power Monthly report through September 30, 2025, shows that utility-scale solar increased by 36.1% in September compared to the same month last year. Small-scale solar, such as rooftop installations, grew by 12.7%. Combined, solar contributed nearly 9.7% of total U.S. electricity in September, up from 7.6% in 2024. Year-to-date through September, solar accounted for just over 9.0% of generation, surpassing wind power for five consecutive months.

Wind energy provided 9.8% of U.S. electricity over the same period, while hydropower produced 5.5%. Together, wind and solar accounted for 18.8% of total electricity, exceeding output from coal and nuclear power. Nuclear generation slightly declined by 0.1%, and natural gas, still the largest single source, fell by 3.8%.

Capacity growth over the past year highlights the transition to clean energy. From October 2024 through September 2025, utility-scale solar added 31,619.5 MW, small-scale solar added 5,923.5 MW, and battery storage surged 59.4% with 13,808.9 MW. In contrast, coal lost 3,926.1 MW, oil fell by 606.6 MW, nuclear added just 46 MW, and natural gas increased modestly by 3,417.1 MW.

EIA forecasts this trend to continue, with renewables and battery storage expected to grow by 67,806.1 MW over the next year, while coal, oil, and nuclear will see little to no growth. The data underscores a rapid shift toward clean energy, led by solar and storage technologies.

Source: solarquarter.com