The U.S. is heading toward a historic milestone in renewable energy. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that 33.3 GW of utility-scale solar PV will be added to the grid in 2025, setting a new annual record and surpassing the 30 GW installed in 2024. Even more striking, the pace is set to accelerate sharply in the second half of the year, with 21.3 GW of solar and 12.4 GW of battery storage expected to come online between July and December alone.
If realized, 2025 will not just mark a record year for solar which could be the largest year ever for total U.S. capacity additions, at around 64 GW. That would surpass the previous peak of 58 GW in 2002, which was dominated almost entirely by natural gas. The difference in 2025: over half of new capacity is projected to come from solar and energy storage, underscoring the structural shift in the U.S. energy mix.
Texas Leads the Surge
Much of this growth is concentrated in Texas. The state accounted for 27% of solar capacity added in H1 2025 (3.2 GW) and is forecast to add another 9.7 GW before year’s end. On the storage side, Texas could see 7 GW of new capacity this year, with most projects slated for commercial operation in H2.
Several large projects highlight the scale of investment:
Between January and June, the U.S. commissioned 12 GW of new utility-scale solar and 5.9 GW of battery storage, consistent with 2024’s pace but at a larger scale. With the second half of 2025 forecast to nearly double these numbers, both solar and storage are on track to set new records.
This shift raises key questions.
Can the grid integrate such a rapid influx of variable generation without significant transmission expansion? How will developers and utilities manage interconnection bottlenecks, permitting delays, and supply chain constraints? And what role will dynamic pricing and flexible demand play in balancing the system?
Conclusion
The EIA’s forecast signals more than just record numbers. It reflects a tipping point where renewables and storage are beginning to form the backbone of U.S. grid expansion. Whether the system can keep pace with this momentum will determine how smoothly the energy transition unfolds in the years ahead.
If realized, 2025 will not just mark a record year for solar which could be the largest year ever for total U.S. capacity additions, at around 64 GW. That would surpass the previous peak of 58 GW in 2002, which was dominated almost entirely by natural gas. The difference in 2025: over half of new capacity is projected to come from solar and energy storage, underscoring the structural shift in the U.S. energy mix.
Texas Leads the Surge
Much of this growth is concentrated in Texas. The state accounted for 27% of solar capacity added in H1 2025 (3.2 GW) and is forecast to add another 9.7 GW before year’s end. On the storage side, Texas could see 7 GW of new capacity this year, with most projects slated for commercial operation in H2.
Several large projects highlight the scale of investment:
- Hornet Solar (600 MW) – Developed by Vesper Energy in Swisher County, featuring 1.36 million solar modules, it is one of the largest single-phase PV plants in the country.
- Invenergy’s 300 MW project – Brought online in February.
- Lightsource bp portfolio – A 187 MW plant in January and a 288 MW portfolio in February.
Between January and June, the U.S. commissioned 12 GW of new utility-scale solar and 5.9 GW of battery storage, consistent with 2024’s pace but at a larger scale. With the second half of 2025 forecast to nearly double these numbers, both solar and storage are on track to set new records.
This shift raises key questions.
Can the grid integrate such a rapid influx of variable generation without significant transmission expansion? How will developers and utilities manage interconnection bottlenecks, permitting delays, and supply chain constraints? And what role will dynamic pricing and flexible demand play in balancing the system?
Conclusion
The EIA’s forecast signals more than just record numbers. It reflects a tipping point where renewables and storage are beginning to form the backbone of U.S. grid expansion. Whether the system can keep pace with this momentum will determine how smoothly the energy transition unfolds in the years ahead.
