The US is likely to add nearly 75 gigawatts of utility-scale power to the grid this year, with wind, solar and battery storage accounting for 90% of the new supply. Orennia's latest analysis finds solar power will account for half of all new US capacity in 2025.

Solar continues to be the largest source of new power added around the world. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), global renewable power capacity grew by a record 585 gigawatts in 2024, a growth rate of more than 15%, driven overwhelmingly by solar. Solar PV alone accounted for three-quarters of all new renewable power added last year.

The additions this year highlight that solar isn’t just concentrated in a few states. Many, including in the Midwest and Southwest, are forecasting to have solar as the largest single new capacity addition in 2025. And with battery energy storage showing up in states that already have significant solar bases, there’s a growing recognition that solar and storage is a paired investment.