U.S. solar capacity nears 300 GW, enough to power 50 million homes

U.S. solar capacity is approaching 300 GW, reaching a level capable of generating the equivalent electricity needs of more than 50 million American homes, according to new industry data.

The United States had approximately 299.4 GWdc of cumulative solar capacity at the end of the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest U.S. Solar Market Insight report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie. More than 6.2 million solar systems have now been installed nationwide.

SEIA estimates that the country’s operating solar fleet can generate enough electricity to serve the equivalent of more than 50 million U.S. homes, or roughly one-third of American households. The homes figure is an equivalency estimate based on electricity production, rather than the number of households directly supplied by solar.

U.S. solar capacity adds 11.4 GW in second quarter

The U.S. solar industry installed 11.4 GWdc of new capacity during the second quarter of 2026, representing a 45% increase from the same quarter in 2025 and a 43% increase from the first quarter of this year.

Utility-scale projects accounted for most of the expansion, with 9.6 GWdc installed during the quarter, up 61% year over year.

Part of the acceleration was linked to project developers working to bring facilities online ahead of a July 2026 safe harbor deadline affecting federal tax-credit eligibility.

Solar and battery storage together represented 70% of all new U.S. electricity generating capacity added during the first half of 2026, highlighting the growing role of the two technologies in expanding the country’s power supply.

Federal data also point to continued solar growth. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported approximately 225.6 GW of utility-scale and small-scale solar photovoltaic capacity in June 2026, measured in AC capacity. Of that total, about 163.2 GW came from utility-scale solar and 62.4 GW from small-scale systems.

The EIA and SEIA totals differ because the organizations use different methodologies and capacity measurements. SEIA reports solar deployment primarily in direct-current capacity, while EIA’s capacity statistics are reported in alternating-current terms.

Utility-scale solar drives capacity additions

Utility-scale projects continue to drive U.S. solar capacity growth, accounting for most new installations.

At the beginning of 2026, EIA estimated that developers planned to add a record 86 GW of utility-scale generating capacity to the grid during the year. Solar represented 51% of those planned additions, with approximately 43.4 GW scheduled to come online. Battery storage accounted for another 28%.

Texas was expected to account for about 40% of planned utility-scale solar additions in 2026, followed by Arizona, California and Michigan.

SEIA and Wood Mackenzie also reported strong geographic growth outside the markets traditionally associated with solar development. States won by Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election accounted for 71% of solar capacity installed during the first half of 2026 and eight of the 10 states with the highest new installations during the period.

U.S. solar manufacturing expands

The growth in U.S. solar capacity has been accompanied by investment in domestic manufacturing.

According to the industry data cited by pv magazine, operational U.S. solar module manufacturing capacity has reached approximately 75.3 GW, with another 14.4 GW under construction.

Domestic solar cell manufacturing, which historically represented a significant gap in the U.S. supply chain, has also expanded. Approximately 10.6 GW of cell manufacturing capacity is operational, while another 19.1 GW is under construction.

The expansion comes as manufacturers and developers adjust to changes in federal tax incentives, tariffs, trade restrictions and domestic-content requirements.

Solar market expected to maintain high annual installations

SEIA and Wood Mackenzie expect the U.S. solar market to maintain annual installations of roughly 44 GWdc through 2031, supported partly by a substantial pipeline of projects that qualified under earlier federal tax-credit rules.

However, the outlook varies across market segments. The residential solar sector continues to face pressure following the expiration of the residential solar tax credit, while utility-scale projects are dealing with permitting, interconnection and changing federal incentive requirements.

Electricity demand is also increasing. EIA expects U.S. electricity generation to rise 2.2% in 2026 to a record 4,368 billion kWh, followed by another 1.7% increase in 2027. The agency cited data center development and increased manufacturing activity as important sources of additional demand.

With U.S. solar capacity now just below 300 GWdc, solar has become an increasingly significant component of the U.S. electricity system. Continued expansion will depend on the pace of utility-scale construction, grid interconnection, domestic manufacturing growth and how developers respond to changes in federal energy and tax policy.

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Sources

• Solar Energy Industries Association, U.S. Solar Market Insight Q3 2026 findings
• U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly solar capacity data
• U.S. Energy Information Administration, planned 2026 generating capacity additions
• U.S. Energy Information Administration, September 2026 electricity outlook
• Original reporting: pv magazine USA