Including new small-scale solar, renewables’ capacity is likely to surpass natural gas by summer 2027 or sooner, according to new data just released by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), and reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign.

Renewables and battery storage are projected to add about 82.9 gigawatts (GW) of new generating capacity in the US by June 30, 2027, while total fossil fuel and nuclear power capacity will fall by almost 3.1 GW.

According to the EIA’s latest “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through June 30, 2026), renewably generated electricity during the first half of 2026 was 10.9% greater than in the same period of 2025. The growth was led by utility-scale solar (up 21.6%), small-scale solar (up 13.0%), hydropower (up 10.1%), and wind (up 6.5%).

By comparison, the electrical output of the US’s nuclear power and natural gas plants grew much more slowly – by 1.7% and 1.8%, respectively. Electricity produced by US coal plants fell by 11.3%.

The combination of wind and solar, including small-scale solar, accounted for 22.3% of domestic electricity production. In June alone, solar-generated electricity exceeded the combined output of wind and hydropower, making it the leading renewable energy source for the month.

During the first half of 2026, wind and solar combined produced 58% more electricity than US coal plants and 28% more than nuclear.

8% a year earlier.

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