99% of New US Power Capacity in 2026 Will Be Renewables + Storage

In a stunning confirmation of America's energy transformation, official government data shows that 99.2% of all new US electrical generating capacity in 2026 will come from renewable energy sources and battery storage — while coal continues its historic collapse.

The data, from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) and analyzed by the SUN DAY Campaign, reveals that solar, wind, and batteries dominated new capacity additions in 2025 and are set to completely reshape America's energy landscape this year.

Solar Sets Record After Record

Solar power is now officially the fastest-growing major source of US electricity. In November 2025 alone:

• Utility-scale solar generation grew 33.9% compared to November 2024
• Rooftop solar increased 11%
• Combined solar provided 7.2% of US electricity, up from 5.9% a year earlier

For the full January-November 2025 period, total solar generation surged 28.1% year-over-year, providing nearly 9% of all US electricity.

The EIA forecasts that another 37,157 megawatts of utility-scale solar capacity will be added in the next 12 months — enough to power millions of homes.

Wind Still Leading in Total Generation

Wind turbines across America produced 10.1% of US electricity in the first 11 months of 2025, maintaining their position as the nation's leading renewable energy source.

Together, wind and solar provided more electricity than coal and nuclear power combined during this period — a historic milestone that would have seemed impossible just a decade ago.

Battery Storage: The Explosive Game-Changer

Perhaps the most dramatic story is battery storage, which saw explosive growth of 49.4% in 2025, adding 13,357 megawatts of new capacity.

The EIA projects another 21,502 megawatts of battery capacity will be added in the next year — a further increase of 53%. This massive deployment of storage technology solves one of renewable energy's historic challenges: storing power for when the sun isn't shining and wind isn't blowing.

Coal in Free Fall

While renewables soared, coal plummeted. Between January and November 2025:

• Coal capacity fell by 4,141 megawatts
• Natural gas electricity generation dropped 3.7%
• Nuclear power added a mere 46 megawatts

Renewables and battery storage, meanwhile, ballooned by 45,198 megawatts — while all fossil fuels and nuclear combined declined by 519 megawatts.

Renewables Now 26% of US Generation

The mix of all renewable energy sources — wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal — produced 8.7% more electricity in 2025 than the year before, accounting for 25.7% of total US electricity production.

Renewables' share of US electrical generation is now second only to natural gas — and gaining fast.

2026 Forecast: Renewables Dominate

The EIA projects that over the next 12 months:

• 99.2% of net new capacity will be renewables + battery storage
• Natural gas will add only 3,961 megawatts (offset almost entirely by coal closures)
• No new nuclear power growth is projected

By November 2026, total renewable energy capacity could reach 508,700 megawatts — nearly equal to natural gas capacity and representing over 36% of US generating capacity.

Solar capacity alone will surpass both coal and wind, and more than double nuclear power capacity.

"Unstoppable Growth"

Ken Bossong, executive director of the SUN DAY Campaign, offered a pointed response to political opposition:

"For more than a year now, members of the Trump administration have sought to stop the growth of wind and solar … and have failed. Perhaps it is time for them to finally recognize renewable energy's unstoppable growth and either get with the program or else just get out of the way."

Why This Matters

This isn't just about statistics — it's about America's energy future becoming reality right now:

• Economic momentum: Renewables are cheaper than fossil fuels, creating market-driven transformation
• Climate impact: Massive emissions reductions as coal collapses and gas declines
• Energy independence: Domestic solar and wind replace imported fossil fuels
• Job creation: Solar and wind industries employ hundreds of thousands of Americans
• Political proof: Even hostile administrations can't stop economic and technological inevitability

The Bottom Line

The numbers don't lie: America's energy transformation is not a distant goal — it's happening now, at breathtaking speed, driven by economics, technology, and unstoppable momentum.

Solar panels are covering rooftops and fields. Wind turbines are spinning across plains and offshore. Massive batteries are storing clean energy for round-the-clock power. Coal plants are shutting down. And no amount of political resistance can reverse these market realities.

The future of American energy is renewable. And that future is arriving in 2026.