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26 May 2026 at 09:31 pm IST
Renewable energy generation in the United States climbed more than 11% during the first quarter of 2026, driven by rapid growth in solar power, hydropower, and battery storage capacity, according to new data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign. Between January and March 2026, electricity generation from renewable sources increased 11.1% compared with the same period last year. Utility-scale solar posted the strongest growth at 23.9%, followed by hydropower at 21.9%, while small-scale solar and wind generation also recorded gains. At the same time, coal-fired electricity generation fell by 11.4%, highlighting the continued shift in the country’s energy mix. Renewables, including solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy, accounted for more than 28.6% of total U.S. electricity generation during the quarter. Combined wind and solar generation alone exceeded 20% of total electricity production, outperforming both nuclear and coal generation. Battery energy storage also continued its rapid expansion. Storage capacity grew 8.5% during the quarter, with another major wave of installations expected over the next year. EIA forecasts indicate that utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects could add more than 80 GW of new clean energy capacity by March 2027, while fossil fuel and nuclear capacity are projected to decline. As of April 2026, renewable energy represented 33.6% of total U.S. utility-scale generating capacity, with projections suggesting this could rise to 36.6% within a year. Solar capacity alone is expected to expand significantly, alongside continued growth in offshore wind and large-scale battery systems. Industry analysts say the figures demonstrate that renewable energy and storage technologies continue to dominate new electricity infrastructure investment despite ongoing policy uncertainty and regulatory challenges in the U.S. energy sector.
