Solar and storage capacity grows in the United States

Solar energy and storage technologies are driving significant growth in the United States' electrical infrastructure. According to a report by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie, these two technologies accounted for 70% of all new capacity added in the first half of 2026.

This expansion is occurring across the country, including in states that supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election. The growth is further bolstered by the increasing energy demands of expanding data centers.

Preliminary monthly estimates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) suggest that developers and plant managers plan to add a record 86 GW of new large-scale generation capacity to the U.S. grid in 2026. Solar power is projected to represent 51% of these planned capacity additions.