US energy surge sees solar power dominate new capacity additions
America’s energy output is hitting record levels, with utility-scale solar accounting for almost all new electricity capacity in 2025.
Oil and gas production in the United States have reached historic highs, while nuclear plants are returning to commercial operation after a long lull. The most rapid growth, however, comes from utility-scale solar, which added 32.7 gigawatts in 2025—far outpacing natural-gas additions of 3.1 gigawatts and offsetting a 6.2-gigawatt loss from retiring coal plants. Rooftop solar contributed an additional 6.3 gigawatts, easing demand on the grid.
Why it matters
The shift toward solar reshapes the US energy mix, influencing climate goals, grid reliability, and economic growth.
In this story
energy boomsolar powerutility-scale solaroil productionnatural gascoal retirementsnuclear commercializationgrid capacityrenewable growth
