Renewable energy provided over a quarter of US electrical generation in January 2026 – 11% more year-over-year – and accounted for over 36% of installed generating capacity, according to data just released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
In 2026, the EIA reports that solar, wind, and batteries added over 55 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity while the net total from fossil fuels and nuclear was less than 1 GW. Projections for 2026 are even more dramatic, according to the SUN DAY Campaign, which reviewed the data.
Renewables are still setting generation records in 2026
EIA’s latest monthly “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through January 31, 2026), reveals that renewable energy sources continue to expand their share of US electricity.
Utility-scale (>1 megawatt) solar thermal and photovoltaic generation expanded by 16.4% in January, while that from “estimated” small-scale (e.g., rooftop) solar PV systems rose by 12.1% compared to the same month in 2025. The combined output of utility-scale and small-scale solar increased by 15.3%, while wind-generated electricity grew by 1.9% and geothermal power output increased by 2.0%. Significantly, electricity from the nation’s hydropower dams rose by 30.2%.
Electrical generation from renewable energy sources combined (including biomass) in January was 11.5% higher than a year earlier and accounted for more than a quarter (25.1%) of the US total. Meanwhile, the power provided by US coal and natural gas plants in January was 12.8% and 3.4% lower than a year ago, respectively.
Solar, wind, and storage growth dominated 2025
For the period February 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, utility-scale solar capacity grew by 27,110.9 megawatts (MW), while an additional 6,305.6 MW was provided by small-scale solar. Solar now accounts for over a sixth (16.75%) of installed US generating capacity.
In addition, utility-scale battery storage saw explosive growth, adding 15,788.8 MW of new capacity.
Wind also made a strong showing, adding 6,016.3 MW. Wind and solar capacity now account for almost 30% of the US total, at 29.24%.
Taken together, over the 12-month period, solar, wind, and battery capacity grew by 55,221.6 MW.
By the end of January 2026, renewables accounted for 33.5% of utility-scale capacity (excluding storage). Adding estimated small-scale solar capacity, renewables’ share of total generating capacity was 36.6%.
On the other hand, natural gas and nuclear power capacity increased by only 4,191,5 MW and 32.4 MW, respectively, while that of coal and petroleum coke & liquids (plus “other gases”) fell by 2,941.5 MW and 324.6 MW, respectively. Thus, net capacity growth by fossil fuels and nuclear power combined was a mere 957.8-MW – less than 2% of that reported for renewables and batteries.
Strong solar, wind, and storage growth in 2026
Despite the Trump administration’s anti-renewables policies, even greater growth is projected for solar, wind, and batteries during 2026.
EIA foresees continued strong solar growth, with even more utility-scale solar capacity – 41,552.7 MW – being added by the end of January 2027. (EIA doesn’t provide a projection for new small-scale solar capacity, but the SUN DAY Campaign estimates it will be about 6,000 MW.)
EIA also notes that planned battery capacity additions over the next 12 months total 22,713.0 MW, an increase of 43.9%.
Planned wind capacity additions in the coming year: 9,840.7 MW (onshore) plus 4,155.0 MW (offshore) would more than double those of the past year.
Should EIA’s forecasts come to fruition, new capacity additions by solar, wind, and batteries during the second year of the Trump administration would be 60% more than those in its first year.
Meanwhile, forecasted growth for fossil fuels and nuclear power is even bleaker than last year’s. Zero growth is currently projected for nuclear power, while net fossil fuel capacity is expected to fall by 4,261.3 MW.
Thus, during the coming 12 months, renewables and battery storage will account for all net new utility-scale capacity additions.
“EIA’s data show that the Trump administration utterly failed to stop the nation’s transition to solar, wind, and battery storage during its first year in office,” noted the SUN DAY Campaign’s executive director, Ken Bossong. “The second year of the Trump Administration is projected to be even more lopsided in favor of clean energy.”
Read more: EIA: 99%+ of new US capacity in 2026 will be solar, wind + storage
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