Utility-scale solar dominates US power plant additions in first half of 2026
Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show that 368 utility-scale plants entered service between January and June, with solar projects leading the count.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 368 utility-scale power plants began operating in the United States during the first half of 2026. Solar installations dominate the rollout, with 207 projects, followed by 95 battery facilities, underscoring the sector’s renewable focus. The biggest newcomers are the SunZia Wind South and SunZia Wind North farms in New Mexico, together delivering 3,650 MW and representing the nation’s largest wind farms, though they reflect a legacy boom rather than a new wave of onshore wind.
Ohio’s Trumbull Energy Center adds 900 MW of combined-cycle natural-gas capacity, expanding the PJM Interconnection grid’s gas resources. Offshore, Vineyard Wind off Massachusetts ranks among the top new plants, while Utah’s Green River Energy Center, at 800 MW, pairs 400 MW of solar with 400 MW of battery storage, illustrating the emerging hybrid model.
Why it matters
The surge in solar and battery projects signals a rapid shift in U.S. electricity generation toward cleaner, more flexible sources.
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