Climate Matters

In 2025, the U.S. generated a record 853,210 GWh from solar and wind, accounting for 19% of total electricity generation. This represents a more than threefold increase since 2016, with solar generation growing more than seven-fold and wind doubling. Despite this growth, the document notes that the U.S. faces new challenges, including the repeal of clean energy tax credits via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 and the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in 2026. These policy shifts, combined with rising electricity demand from data centers, are projected to increase heat-trapping pollution and raise average annual household energy costs by over $280 by 2035.

• The U.S. achieved record levels of solar and wind electricity generation in 2025, totaling 853,210 gigawatt-hours (GWh), which is more than triple the amount generated in 2016.
• Solar and wind combined for 19% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2025, surpassing coal's share of 16% for the second consecutive year.
• Regional leadership in clean energy is concentrated in specific states: California and Texas together produced 40% of all U.S. solar power in 2025, while Texas generated 28% of all U.S. wind power.
• The unsubsidized costs of solar and wind power in the U.S. fell by 76% and 51%, respectively, between 2010 and 2024.
• U.S. electricity demand has risen steadily since 2020, primarily driven by the growth of data centers and expanded industrial use.
• Recent federal policy reversals, specifically the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the 2026 withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, are projected to increase U.S. heat-trapping pollution by 7% over 2005 levels by 2035.
• The repeal of clean energy tax credits through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 is estimated to increase average annual U.S. household energy costs by approximately $165 in 2030 and over $280 in 2035.

APA

Climate Central (2026). Climate Matters. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/solar-and-wind-2026

Chicago

Climate Central. Climate Matters. 2026. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/solar-and-wind-2026.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=Climate Matters |date=25 March 2026 |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/solar-and-wind-2026 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2026climate, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{Climate Matters}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/solar-and-wind-2026}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }