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By February 1, 2028, renewables would account for 37.4% of total available installed utility-scale generating capacity – just behind natural gas (40.2%) – with solar and wind making up more than 75% of the installed renewable energy capacity, according to data just released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

In FERC’s latest monthly “Energy Infrastructure Update” report (with data through January 31, 2025), solar and wind combined accounted for more than 98% of new US electrical generating capacity added in January, and solar alone accounted for over two-thirds of that new capacity. Moreover, January was the 17th month in a row in which solar was the largest source of new capacity, according to the SUN DAY Campaign, which reviewed FERC’s latest data.

FERC says 63 “units” of solar totaling 2,945 megawatts (MW) were placed into service in January along with five units of wind (1,301 MW). Combined, they accounted for 98.4% of all new generating capacity added during the month. The balance was provided by natural gas (60 MW) and oil (11 MW).

Solar accounted for 68.2% of all new generating capacity placed into service in January – more than double the solar capacity added a year earlier (1,176 MW).

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Renewables reach one-third of total US generating capacity

New wind accounted for most of the balance (30.1%) of capacity additions. In fact, more new wind capacity was added in January 2025 than was reported as being added during any month in 2024.

Tother, the installed capacities of solar (10.5%) and wind (11.8%) now constitute 22.3% of the US’s total available installed utility-scale generating capacity.

Around 30% of US solar capacity is in small-scale (e.g., rooftop) systems that are not reflected in FERC’s data. Including that additional solar capacity would bring the share provided by solar and wind to more than a quarter of the US total.

If you add in hydropower (7.6%), biomass (1.1%), and geothermal (0.3%), renewables currently claim a 31.3% share of total US utility-scale generating capacity. If small-scale solar capacity is included, renewables are now around one-third of total US generating capacity.

FERC’s 3-year solar + wind addition forecast

FERC reports that net “high probability” additions of solar between February 2025 and January 2028 total 89,033 MW – an amount almost four times the forecast net “high probability” additions for wind (22,312 MW), the second-fastest growing resource.

FERC also foresees net growth for hydropower (1,319 MW) and geothermal (92 MW) but a decrease of 130 MW in biomass capacity. FERC has forecast no new nuclear capacity in its three-year forecast.

Taken together, the net new “high probability” capacity additions by all renewable energy sources would total 112,626 MW, with solar comprising over 79% and wind providing another 20%.  

On the other hand, coal and oil are projected to contract by 24,940 MW and 2,237 MW, respectively. Natural gas capacity would expand by only 455 MW.

If FERC’s current “high probability” additions materialize, by February 1, 2028, solar will account for nearly one-sixth (16.2%) of the nation’s installed utility-scale generating capacity. Wind would provide an additional one-eighth (12.6%) of the total. Thus, each would be greater than coal (12.4%) and substantially more than either nuclear or hydropower (both 7.3%).

In fact, assuming current growth rates continue, the installed capacity of utility-scale solar is likely to surpass coal and wind within the next two years, placing solar in second place for installed generating capacity – behind only natural gas.

Meanwhile, the mix of all renewables is now adding about two percentage points each year to its share of generating capacity. Thus, by February 1, 2028, renewables would account for 37.4% of total available installed utility-scale generating capacity – rapidly approaching that of natural gas (40.2%) – with solar and wind constituting more than three-quarters of the installed renewable energy capacity.

Renewables are on track to exceed natural gas in 3 years

If small-scale solar is factored into FERC’s data, within three years, total US solar capacity (small-scale plus utility-scale) could surpass 325 GW. In turn, the mix of all renewables would then exceed 40% of total installed capacity while the share of natural gas would drop to about 37%.

Moreover, FERC reports that there may be as much as 220,767 MW of net new solar additions in the current three-year pipeline in addition to 68,409 MW of new wind, 9,833 MW of new hydropower, 201 MW of new geothermal, and 39 MW of new biomass. By contrast, the net new natural gas capacity in the three-year pipeline potentially totals just 18,363 MW. Thus, renewables’ share could be even greater by early 2028.

“The Biden era closed out with record-setting solar additions and a rebound in new wind capacity,” noted the SUN DAY Campaign’s executive director, Ken Bossong. “Whether solar, wind, and other renewables can continue that growth under the policies of the Trump administration remains to be seen.” 

Electrek’s Take

This is quite a positive renewables forecast from FERC, despite the hostility for renewables by the incumbent in the White House. For example, Trump just removed solar panels and components from Section 303 of the Defense Production Act (DPA) with yet another executive order. Joe Biden invoked the law in 2022 to help fund clean energy manufacturing through the Inflation Reduction Act, and it worked. 

A new report from the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), which surveyed “top executives from the largest clean energy investors and project sponsors in America, representing over $15 billion in capital investments,” found that federal tax credit uncertainty could cause 84% of investors and 73% of developers to decrease their activity in clean energy. They want long-term certainty in order to continue to invest. Will they get it? I’m not holding my breath. But renewables have a whole lot of momentum and advantages that fossil fuels don’t. Let me know your thoughts about renewables’ future under the Trump administration in the comments below.

Read more: Renewables provided 90% of new US capacity in 2024 – FERC


If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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Kia plans to build 100,000 EV2 and EV4 models a year, far more than expected

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Kia plans to build 100,000 EV2 and EV4 models a year, far more than expected

Kia is about to go on the offensive. The automaker plans to nearly triple electric vehicle production in Europe within the next two years as it introduces the new EV2 and EV4.

Kia doubles down on EV2 and EV4 production plans

With the EV2 and EV4 joining the lineup, Kia will offer an electric vehicle for nearly everyone. The EV2 is Kia’s smallest, most affordable electric car, set to sit below the EV3.

Despite its compact size, Kia said the EV2 will “redefine urban electric mobility” with a flexible interior, its latest connectivity tech, and more.

According to Kia’s CEO, Ho Sung Song, the company plans to build about 100,000 EV2s at its Zilina plant in Slovakia.

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“The average annual production of the upcoming EV2 is expected to reach around 100,000 units at the Zilina plant in Slovakia in 2027,” Song told Automotive News Europe earlier this month.

Kia is also scaling up output of its first electric hatchback, the EV4. By 2027, Kia plans to build over 80,000 EV4s at the Zilina plant. If you add in the EV4 Fastback or sedan models built in Korea, “the EV4’s combined global production is expected to reach approximately 100,000 units,” Kia’s CEO said.

Kia-EV2-EV4
The Kia Concept EV2 at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich (Source: Kia)

Song explained that Kia aims to produce 100,000 EV2 and EV4 models globally each year, as this volume will be high enough to make them profitable.

The new production target is considerably higher than what Kia Europe CEO Marc Hedrich told Automotive News Europe in August.

Kia-EV4-first-EV-Europe
Kia starts EV4 hatchback production in Europe, its first EV built in Europe (Source: Kia UK)

Hedrich said that combined EV2 and EV4 production could account for 10% and 20% of the output at the Zilina plant in 2026, adding that a production goal of 20,000 to 30,000 EV4s “would certainly make sense” next year.

Officials from Kia Europe explained that production plans shifted after the EV4 received better-than-expected feedback following its launch in August.

Kia-EV4-first-EV-Europe
Kia starts EV4 hatchback production in Europe, its first EV built in Europe (Source: Kia UK)

Kia began EV4 production on August 20, marking a milestone as its first EV built in Europe. Kia is investing €108 million ($125 million) in the Zilina plant to produce the EV2 and EV4. The EV2 will join in 2026.

The facility has the capacity to build 320,000 vehicles, but Kia said output could be expanded to 350,000 with overtime.

Kia-EV3
Kia EV3 Air in Frost Blue (Source: Kia UK)

Kia has yet to reveal final specs, but given the EV3 is about 4,300 mm (169.3″) in length, the EV2 is expected to be slightly smaller at around 4,000 mm (157″). That’s about the size of Hyundai’s entry-level EV, the Inster, at 3,825 mm (150″) in length.

Like the EV9 and recently launched EV5, Kia’s compact electric car features a more upright, crossover-SUV-like design.

Although Kia’s overall sales are down 3% in Europe through August, EV sales are up 56% to 71,179. The EV3 is driving growth as Kia’s second-best-selling vehicle behind the Sportage and as the seventh best-selling EV in Europe. Through the first eight months of 2025, Kia sold 45,269 EV3s in the region.

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The Honda Prologue scored big in August with incentives of over $12,000

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The Honda Prologue scored big in August with incentives of over ,000

Honda’s electric SUV was the third most popular EV in the US in August, behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Offering over $12,000 in average incentives, the Honda Prologue scored big as buyers rushed to claim the federal EV tax credit.

Honda Prologue registrations surge with huge incentives

As the $7,500 credit expired at the end of September, automakers were offering pretty notable discounts, many in the five digits with combined incentives.

The Honda Prologue has been one of the most discounted EVs over the past few months. Last month, buyers could score up to over $20,000 in combined savings, including a $7,500 credit, $9,500 in financing bonuses, trade-in offers, and 0% interest for six years.

According to the latest registration data from S&P Global Mobility (via Automotive News), the incentives helped propel the Honda Prologue to become the third most popular EV in August.

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A total of 138,457 EVs were registered in the US in August, up 24% from a year ago. Honda Prologue registrations surged 81% to 9,005 vehicles, the data showed.

Honda-Prologue-EV-incentives
2025 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

Since some automakers don’t report monthly or US sales numbers, the S&P Global Mobility data offers a snapshot of sales performance.

The Prologue was yet again one of the most discounted models, with incentives of $12,704 in August, according to Motor Intelligence. Last August, Prologue incentives were just $5,813. Honda’s gas-powered CR-V had just $2,016 in incentives in August.

Honda-Prologue-EV-incentives
2025 Honda Prologue (Source: Honda)

Although the $7,500 credit expired on September 30, Honda is still offering generous incentives for Prologue buyers and lessees.

The 2025 Honda Prologue is available with up to $16,550 in lease cash in most states. Alternatively, Honda is offering 0% APR financing for up to 60 months.


2025 Honda Prologue trim
Starting Price* EPA Range
(miles)
EX (FWD) $47,400 308
EX (AWD) $50,400 294
Touring (FWD) $51.700 308
Touring (AWD) $54,700 294
Elite (AWD) $57,900 283
2025 Honda Prologue prices and range by trim (*Does not include $1,450 D&H fee)

Although the Acura ZDX will not return for a 2026 model year, Honda is planning to launch the 2026 Prologue. We have yet to learn prices, but we could see it priced slightly lower due to the loss of the $7,500 EV credit.

Hyundai announced earlier this month it’s reducing 2026 IONIQ 5 prices by up to nearly $10,000 on some trims. The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 now starts at under $35,000. Will Honda match it?

Want to check out the Prologue for yourself? You can use our link to find available Honda Prologue models in your area (trusted affiliate link).

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Oregon launches its first solar + storage DC fast charging station

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Oregon launches its first solar + storage DC fast charging station

XCharge North America (NA) has opened Oregon’s first solar + storage DC fast charging station at Arrowhead Travel Plaza in Pendleton, part of the Wildhorse Resort & Casino complex owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

NetZero Energy helped bring the project to life, handling system design and project management. The solar canopy provides renewable power to the chargers, while the integrated batteries make the site more resilient and capable of off-grid operation during outages.

The new station integrates four dual-dispenser 215kWh GridLink chargers with 40kW of solar that can output up to 194kW per unit, allowing drivers to charge quickly with CCS1 or NACS plugs while reducing strain on the grid. The site’s location on Interstate 84 is key because Arrowhead serves more than 1.7 million vehicles a year. Many drive the steep, rough weather-prone Cabbage Hill grade, where a full charge is essential for safety.

“We partnered with XCharge NA because they provide a grid-friendly charging solution with battery storage that seamlessly integrates with a custom solar canopy – a perfect fit for our climate,” said Tom Fine, general manager of Arrowhead Travel Plaza.

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Each GridLink charger includes bidirectional capability, meaning it can send power back to the grid or function off-grid in the event of an emergency. It also has a built-in safety system that monitors battery packs with multiple sensors and fire suppression technology.

With this project, XCharge North America now operates in 18 states. Cofounder and president Aatish Patel called Oregon’s first solar-supplemented DC fast-charging site a milestone: “Our Arrowhead Travel Plaza installation goes beyond simply delivering ultra-fast charging – it’s a powerful demonstration of how integrating our GridLink technology with solar power can offset grid demand, enhance a charging site’s resilience and flexibility, and even bolster the region’s energy architecture.”

Read more: XCharge NA is now leasing DC fast chargers to small businesses


The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to

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