Renewable energy to reach 37.4% of U.S. generating capacity by 2028

By February 1, 2028, renewable energy sources are projected to make up 37.4% of the total installed utility-scale generating capacity in the United States, trailing only natural gas at 40.2%, according to the latest data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Solar and wind energy alone will account for more than 75% of this renewable capacity, highlighting a significant shift towards cleaner energy.

In January 2025, solar and wind combined contributed over 98% of all new electrical capacity installed in the U.S., with solar energy comprising 68.2% of that new capacity.

Solar and wind combined contributed over 98% of all new electrical capacity installed in the U.S

This marks the 17th consecutive month that solar has been the largest source of new power generation. Solar installations in January included 2,945 megawatts (MW) from 63 solar units and 1,301 MW from five wind units. Together, they represented 98.4% of all new generating capacity added that month.

Looking ahead, the FERC anticipates that net additions of solar capacity will total 89,033 MW between 2025 and 2028, outpacing wind’s projected growth of 22,312 MW. While coal and oil capacity are expected to decline significantly, natural gas will see only minor increases.

However, the future growth of renewables is uncertain under the Trump administration, which has been marked by regulatory rollbacks that could impede momentum.

A report from the American Council on Renewable Energy suggests that investor confidence is waning, with 84% of investors considering federal tax credit uncertainty as a significant reason to curtail investments in clean energy projects.

Despite these challenges, the momentum for renewables appears strong, and if current growth rates are maintained, solar capacity could soon surpass coal and wind in installed generating capacity, solidifying its place behind only natural gas in the U.S. energy landscape.