FERC: Solar + wind made up 98% of new US power generating capacity in Jan-Feb 2025
Solar and wind accounted for almost 98% of new US electrical generating capacity added in the first two months of 2025, according to new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) data reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign.
In FERC’s latest monthly “Energy Infrastructure Update” report (with data through February 28, 2025), FERC says 39 “units” of solar totaling 1,514 megawatts (MW) were placed into service in February, along with two units of wind (266 MW). They accounted for 95.3% of all new generating capacity added during the month. Natural gas provided the balance (87 MW).
For both January and February, renewables (6,309 MW) were 97.6% of new capacity, while natural gas (147 MW) provided just 2.3%, with another 0.2% coming from oil (11 MW).
Solar dominated February generating capacity
Solar accounted for 81.1% of all new generating capacity placed into service in February. It was 73.3% of new capacity added during the first two months of 2025.
Recent solar additions include the 237.3 MW Fence Post Solar in Texas, the 150-MW Northern Orchard Solar in California, and the 135-MW Prairie Ronde Solar Project in Louisiana.
Solar has now been the largest source of new generating capacity added each month for 18 consecutive months, since September 2023.
Solar + wind now almost 25% of US utility-scale generating capacity
New wind accounted for most of the balance (14.3%) of capacity additions in February. New wind capacity (1,568 MW) added in January and February combined was 70% more year-over-year (922 MW).
The new wind farms that came online in February were the 140.3-MW Pioneer DJ Wind in Texas and the 126-MW Downeast Wind in Maine.
The installed capacities of solar (10.7%) and wind (11.8%) are now each more than a tenth of the US total. Together, they’re almost one-fourth (22.5%) of the US’s total available installed utility-scale generating capacity.
Further, approximately 30% of US solar capacity is in the form of small-scale (e.g., rooftop) systems that aren’t reflected in FERC’s data. Including that additional solar capacity would bring the share provided by solar and wind to more than 25% of the US total.
With the inclusion of hydropower (7.6%), biomass (1.1%), and geothermal (0.3%), renewables currently claim a 31.5% share of total US utility-scale generating capacity. If small-scale solar capacity is included, renewables are now about one-third of total US generating capacity.
For perspective, a year ago, the mix of utility-scale renewables accounted for 29.3% of total installed generating capacity. Five years ago, it was 22.6%. Ten years ago, it was 16.9% (with more than half provided by hydropower). Thus, over the past decade, renewables’ share of US generating capacity has nearly doubled.
FERC’s 3-year solar + wind addition forecast
FERC reports that net “high probability” additions of solar between March 2025 and February 2028 total 89,497 MW – an amount almost four times the forecast net “high probability” additions for wind (22,890 MW), the second fastest growing resource. FERC also foresees net growth for hydropower (1,323 MW) and geothermal (92 MW) but a decrease of 130 MW in biomass capacity.
The net new “high probability” capacity additions by all renewable energy sources would total 113,672 MW. There is no new nuclear capacity in FERC’s three-year forecast.
Despite Trump’s big fossil fuel push, FERC is projecting that coal and oil will contract by 24,939 MW and 2,104 MW, respectively. Natural gas capacity would expand by 1,583 MW.
Thus, adjusting for the different capacity factors of gas (59.7%), wind (34.3%), and utility-scale solar (23.4%), electricity generated by the projected new solar capacity to be added in the coming three years should be at least 20 times greater than that produced by the new natural gas capacity, while wind’s new electrical output would eclipse gas by eight-fold.
If FERC’s current “high probability” additions materialize, by March 1, 2028, solar will account for nearly one-sixth (16.3%) of US installed utility-scale generating capacity. Wind would provide an additional one-eighth (12.7%) of the total. So each would be greater than coal (12.4%) and substantially more than either nuclear power (7.3%) or hydropower (7.2%).
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 natural gas.
Renewables still on track to exceed natural gas in 3 years
The mix of all utility-scale (ie, >1 MW) renewables is now adding about two percentage points annually to its share of generating capacity. At that pace, by March 1, 2028, renewables would account for 37.6% of total available installed utility-scale generating capacity – nipping on the heels of natural gas (40.2%) – with solar and wind constituting more than three-quarters of the installed renewable energy capacity. If those trendlines continue, utility-scale renewable energy capacity should surpass natural gas in 2029 or sooner.
However, if small-scale solar is factored in, within three years, total US solar capacity (small-scale plus utility-scale) could approach 330 GW. In turn, the mix of all renewables would then exceed 40% of total installed capacity while natural gas’s share would drop to about 37%.
Moreover, FERC reports that there may actually be as much as 220,985 MW of net new solar additions in the current three-year pipeline in addition to 67,811 MW of new wind, 9,788 MW of new hydropower, 201 MW of new geothermal, and 39 MW of new biomass. By contrast, net new natural gas capacity potentially in the three-year pipeline totals just 20,856 MW. Consequently, renewables’ share could be even greater by late winter 2028.
“The Trump Administration’s assault on wind and solar has not – at least not yet – had an appreciable impact on the rapid growth of renewable energy generating capacity,” noted the SUN DAY Campaign’s executive director, Ken Bossong. “Moreover, if FERC’s current projections materialize, the mix of renewables will surpass natural gas capacity before the end of President Trump’s time in the White House.”
Electrek’s Take
Just three days ago, I reported on nonpartisan policy group E2’s latest Clean Economy Works monthly update, which revealed that nearly $8 billion in clean energy investments and 16 new large-scale factories and other projects were cancelled, closed, or downsized in Q1 2025. (E2’s cleaner net is wider than FERC’s and includes such things as EVs, battery storage, hydrogen, and grid and infrastructure projects.) Clean energy is growing, but Trump’s executive orders have still managed to slow its growth. Natural gas is still in the lead, but coal and oil still can’t touch renewables.
Read more: FERC: Solar + wind set for a strong 3-year run despite Trump’s sabotage
If you find yourself in this situation or even just want to check out other options to make sure you’re finding a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage. EnergySage is a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar – whether you’re a homeowner or renter. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20 to 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 tell us to share your phone number with them.
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Blink Charging (Nasdaq: BLNK) has struck a deal with Hubject to make charging easier for EV drivers across North America.
The agreement will bring Blink into Hubject’s intercharge eRoaming platform as a charge point operator. That means electric mobility service providers (eMSPs) and their customers in the US, Canada, and Mexico will soon have access to Blink’s charging stations through their existing apps. In turn, Blink drivers will gain better access to stations connected through Hubject’s network.
Hubject, which already connects more than 1 million charging points and 2,750 partners worldwide, expects the integration to strengthen its North American presence by adding Blink’s wide-ranging network of chargers, from Level 2 workplace stations to DC fast charging. Blink, meanwhile, anticipates more customers will plug in, thanks to Hubject’s reach.
“Our collaboration with Blink marks an important step in expanding our North American intercharge network,” said Trishan Peruma, CEO of Hubject North America. “By integrating Blink’s network into our eRoaming platform, we aim to help reduce barriers that have historically complicated EV charging and to support the continued growth of EV adoption across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.”
Blink Charging’s president and CEO Mike Battaglia added, “Connecting the Blink Network to Hubject’s platform will allow more drivers to benefit from interoperable charging while traveling.”
The integration will use the industry-standard OCPI protocol to keep billing and communication between networks secure and reliable. Deployment is planned in phases throughout 2025, with full integration targeted for the end of the year.
Read more: Blink just made it a lot easier to find its charging stations
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 unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Hyundai wants to make the electric sports car for everyone. Not just those who can afford it. The new Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Essentials trim was launched in Korea on Monday, offering a lower price tag but the same thrilling drive.
Hyundai launches new IONIQ 5 N Essentials in Korea
The IONIQ 5 N is Hyundai’s first EV sports car under the IONIQ series. Initially launched in 2023, the IONIQ 5 N marked a new era for Hyundai’s high-performance N division.
Hyundai’s electric hot hatch not only looks the part with added sporty “N” branded elements scattered inside and out, but it’s also packed with fun features, advanced tech, and a host of drive modes.
Based on a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain, the IONIQ 5 N delivers up to 641 horsepower when N Grin Boost is engaged. Even without it, the electric sports car packs 601 hp.
It also draws power from an 84 kWh battery, good for an EPA-estimated range of 221 miles. On the WLTP scale, it’s rated with an official range of 278 miles (448 km). The added power results in a lower range than other IONIQ 5 trims.
Although it was already one of the most affordable sports cars, EV or gas-powered, Hyundai is lowering the price even further.
After launching the new Essentials model in South Korea on Monday, Hyundai said the new trim “is characterized by lowering the barrier to entry so that customers can experience the overwhelming driving performance of the IONIQ 5 N at a reasonable price through optimized specifications.”
Hyundai focused on core convenience features while including the same high-performance motors, battery, and N-specific elements as the base model.
A Hyundai official said, “The Essential trim of the IONIQ 5 N is a new trim that offers greater cost-effectiveness to lower the barrier to entry for high-performance electric vehicles.”
The IONIQ 5 N features advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including highway driving assist and navigation-based smart cruise control. Hyundai has also added an exclusive new “Parking Assist Lite” package, offering safety and convenience features such as surround view monitoring and rear parking assistance.
The new Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Essentials trim starts at 74.9 million won ($54,000), including tax benefits. Hyundai said it will continue to make competitive products so more buyers can experience high-performance EVs.
Although the Essentials trim is not available in the US, the IONIQ 5 N is still more affordable than most sports cars. The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N starts at $66,200. But, with the $7,500 tax credit, which is set to expire on September 30, leases are currently listed as low as $549 per month.
Looking to test the IONIQ 5 out for yourself? You can use our link to find the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and high-performance N models near you today (trusted affiliate link).
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A federal judge has cleared the way for Ørsted’s nearly complete 704-megawatt (MW) Revolution Wind offshore wind farm to restart construction, overturning a stop-work order imposed by the Trump administration.
Reagan-appointed senior US District Judge Royce C. Lamberth granted a preliminary injunction in Washington, DC, calling the government’s conduct “the height of arbitrary and capricious government conduct.” He added, “If Revolution Wind cannot meet benchmark deadlines, the entire project could collapse. There is no doubt in my mind of irreparable harm to the plaintiffs.”
Ørsted welcomed the ruling and said in a statement, “Revolution Wind will continue to seek to work collaboratively with the US Administration and other stakeholders toward a prompt resolution. Revolution Wind will resume impacted construction work as soon as possible, with safety as the top priority.”
The decision marks a significant setback for the Trump administration’s attempts to stall offshore wind development. Revolution Wind is already about 80% complete, with all turbine foundations and 45 of 65 turbines successfully installed, and expected to power 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Earlier this month, the two states’ attorneys general announced they were suing the Trump administration to overturn its “baseless” decision to halt Revolution Wind. That underlying lawsuit challenging the stop-work order will continue to progress.
Oceantic Network CEO Liz Burdock said, “Today’s decision allowing work to resume on Revolution Wind is welcome news for the hundreds of skilled workers who can now return to their jobs while the legal process continues. This Made in America energy project is putting Americans to work building reliable, affordable power to communities across New England that desperately need it.”
Read more: Connecticut, Rhode Island sue Trump to save 80% complete offshore wind farm
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 unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
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