US Renewables Surpass 30% of Electricity Generation as Solar Power Gains Momentum

Renewable energy sources have surpassed 30% of total electricity generation in the US for the first time, according to figures from the SUN DAY Campaign. This growth can be attributed largely to solar power, which is expanding rapidly and may soon surpass natural gas as a leading source of installed capacity.

The analysis, based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, found that renewable energy output increased by over 10% in the first five months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Solar power specifically grew at an even faster rate of 21%, adding nearly 28 gigawatts of capacity.

As a result, wind and solar combined now produce more electricity than coal. Battery storage is also growing quickly, with utility-scale energy storage adding 16.5 gigawatts during the same period. This expansion makes renewable electricity more reliable when sunlight and wind conditions are lower.