On August 20, 2025, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that the country is on track to add 33 gigawatts of new solar capacity this year, representing nearly half of all new electricity generation capacity nationwide. If achieved, this would set a record for annual solar additions in the United States, underscoring how rapidly renewable energy is reshaping the national power mix.
Texas has emerged as the clear leader in this expansion. Developers brought 3.2 gigawatts of solar online in the first half of 2025 and plan nearly 10 gigawatts more in the second half, meaning that the state alone could account for almost half of all new solar added nationwide this year. Factors driving this surge include favorable land and weather conditions, lower development costs, and surging demand from fast-growing sectors like data centers and manufacturing.
The projected record buildout highlights how solar is moving from a supplemental power source to the backbone of new U.S. generation. Even amid uncertainties in federal policy, the momentum of state-level markets, private investment, and falling costs are accelerating the country’s clean energy transition. This trend positions solar not only as a tool for decarbonization, but as a central pillar of America’s future energy security and economic competitiveness.