Harnessing the Sun and Wind: A Snapshot of Green Energy in January 2025

In an enlightening new report by the SUN DAY Campaign, data recently put forward by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) details a vast majority of newly implemented US electrical generating capacity in January 2025 coming from solar and wind sources. These green superheroes were responsible for over 98% of the new energy, with solar contributing more than two-thirds. This impressive accomplishment marks 17 straight months wherein solar power has reigned supreme in adding capacity.

Solar and Wind Dominate New Energy Infusion: The January 2025 Stat-Sheet

FERC’s latest “Energy Infrastructure Update” informed the public that in addition to the 63 “units” of solar that came online totaling 2,945 MW, an extra 1,301 MW was procured from five units of wind in January, bringing their combined contribution to a whopping 98.4% of all newly installed generating capacity. The rest was mopped up by old school sources such as natural gas and oil.

Solar energy, accounting for 68.2% of the new capacity addition, performed significantly better compared to the same period in 2024. The dominance isn’t new, as our sun has been the frontrunner as the promising capacity creator for the past 17 months.

Renewables Solidify Their Stake: Nearly a Third of US Utility-Scale Generating Capacity

The wind wasn’t left behind either. It added a good chunk or 30.1% to the new capacity mix. Interestingly, this was a bigger number than any monthly addition from the previous year. The sun and the breeze certainly seem to be onto something - they now alone account for roughly a quarter of the nation's overall power reserve.

When you also factor in small-scale solar systems, renewables', including wind and solar, stand tall at almost a third of the total installed capacity.

The green army is also joined by hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, further increasing the renewable share of total US utility-scale generating capacity to 31.3%. With the inclusion of small-scale solar capacity, they tip the scale at around one-third.

Watch Out, Solar's Rising: On the Verge of Becoming Second-Largest Power Provider

FERC insights reveal a bright future for solar, predicting “high probability” additions of an enormous 89,033 MW from February 2025 to January 2028. This number is almost quadruple the estimated growth of wind, the second fastest-growing resource. Additionally, hydropower and geothermal are expected to increase, while biomass may see a slight drop.

Under these predictions, the net new additions of all renewable sources would culminate in a massive 112,626 MW. Solar energy would play the starring role with over 79%, accompanied by wind with another 20%.

No new nuclear capacity is in sight, and coal and oil are set to decline, according to FERC. Natural gas could see a meager expansion of only 455 MW.

If these predictions hold true, by February 1 2028, we can expect solar power to account for almost a sixth of the national installed utility-scale generating capacity, outperforming coal and fast catching up to natural gas.

A Green Future: Renewables Rapidly Closing the Gap with Natural Gas

In the grand scheme of things, all renewables combined currently contribute about two percentage points annually to their share of the generating capacity. Consequently, by 2028, they are expected to satisfy 37.4% of the total installed utility-scale generating capacity, slowly catching up with natural gas. Till then, more than three-quarters of the installed renewable energy capacity would be contributed by our old friends, solar and wind.

Upon including the not-so-small small-scale solar into the mix, the combined grinds of all renewables look set to eclipse natural gas within the next three years. If things pan out as they seem, total US solar capacity could cross 325 GW, driving the renewable pool over 40% of installed capacity, nudging natural gas down to around 37%. Ha, take that fossil fuels!

An Anticipated Surge in Renewable Energy Dominance by 2028

In a future filled with energy diversification, one might expect a substantial increase in renewable energy installations. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) suggests an imminent boom in the sector. Their report indicates there could be a staggering 220,767 MW of new solar energy developments within the next three years. Along with this, we could witness the emergence of 68,409 MW of wind energy, 9,833 MW of hydropower, 201 MW of geothermal capacity, and 39 MW of new biomass energy.

In contrast, foreseeing the pipeline for non-renewable energy sources like natural gas, it stands at a relatively lower 18,363 MW, dwarfing when compared to renewables. Consequently, by early 2028, the dominance of renewable energy in the energy landscape could be unequivocal.

The Unprecedented Growth in Solar Additions under Biden's Leadership

The Biden administration concluded its term in power marking a historical surge in solar energy installations, as well as a bounce back in wind capacity increases, observed Ken Bossong, Executive Director of SUN DAY Campaign.

Uncertain Future of Renewable Energy Under Trump's Policies

However, the sustainability of this growth trajectory under Trump's approach to energy policy is less clear. While the renewable energy sector has proven its potential during Biden's tenure, the future under the new leadership and its policies is a wait-and-watch game. Can renewable energy sources keep up this momentum in the face of changing policies? Only time will tell.