2025 saw record levels of solar, wind power in US: Here's where

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New data reveals that 2025 saw record levels of solar and wind power in the United States.

Climate Central analyzed national and state-level data on electricity generation from solar and wind from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). 

Record levels of electricity from solar and wind in 2025

By the numbers:

According to the data, the U.S. generated a record 853,210 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity from solar (46%) and wind (54%) in 2025.

Nationally, solar power grew 28% and wind power grew 3% in 2025 compared to 2024 levels.

"That’s more than triple the amount generated a decade ago, in 2016 — and enough to power the equivalent of more than 79 million average homes in the U.S.," Climate Central said in their report published Wednesday.

Between 2016 and 2025, U.S. electricity generated from solar grew more than seven-fold and U.S. electricity generated from wind doubled.

About 24% of all U.S. solar power generated in 2025 came from small-scale solar installations, such as residential rooftop or community solar systems, which have less than 1 megawatt of capacity.

California, Texas lead in solar power

Dig deeper:

The data also found that California and Texas led in solar power. Together, these two states generated 40% of all U.S. solar power in 2025

Texas alone generated 28% of all U.S. wind power in 2025 — almost three times more than the second-ranked state for wind (Iowa).

Solar panels installed during the completion phase of a 4-acre solar rooftop atop AltaSea's research and development facility at the Port of Los Angeles. (Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

From 2016 to 2025, Texas, California, Florida, Iowa, and Illinois had the largest 10-year growth in combined solar and wind generation. 

In the same 10 year period, solar generation grew in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and wind generation grew in 36 states. A total of 43 states produce electricity from wind.

Costs of electricity from solar, wind decrease

Meanwhile, the costs of electricity from solar and wind have decreased rapidly. 

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The unsubsidized cost of solar and wind power in the U.S. fell by 76% and 51%, respectively, from 2010 to 2024, due to improvements in technology, manufacturing, and project deployment. 

Globally, wind and solar are now the most cost-competitive sources of new electricity generation, according to Climate Central.