Wind generation in the USA increased by 5.9% during the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) analysed by the Sun Day Campaign. Wind capacity also increased by 8.0% between February 2025 and July 2026, adding 12,195.4 MW, including 800 MW of offshore wind. Renewable electricity generation increased by 10.7% during the first seven months of 2026. Utility-scale solar generation increased by 22.0%, small-scale solar by 12.6%, hydropower by 9.0% and wind by 5.9%.
Wind and solar, including small-scale solar, together accounted for 21.6% of U.S. electricity generation during the period. Their combined generation was 49% higher than that of coal-fired power plants and 26% higher than nuclear generation.
In July, solar was again the largest renewable source of electricity generation, for the second consecutive month. Solar generation was nearly equal to the combined output of wind and hydropower.
The EIA data also show that renewable energy capacity continued to expand between February 2025 and July 2026. Utility-scale solar capacity increased by 41,051.6 MW, or 32.7%, while small-scale solar capacity grew by 9,112.4 MW, or 17.0%. Wind capacity increased by 12,195.4 MW, or 8.0%.
Total renewable generation capacity, including hydropower, biomass and geothermal, increased by 62,092.0 MW, or 14.6%. Utility-scale battery storage capacity increased by 26,629.5 MW over the same period.
By comparison, coal capacity declined by 4,131.8 MW, while natural gas capacity increased by 7,561.5 MW and nuclear capacity by 800.6 MW.
Looking ahead to July 2027, the EIA projects that wind capacity will increase by 9,481.8 MW, including 3,355.0 MW of offshore wind. Utility-scale solar capacity is projected to increase by 43,558.0 MW, while battery storage is expected to add a further 23,428.9 MW.
The EIA does not provide a 12-month forecast for small-scale solar capacity. The Sun Day Campaign estimates that around 6,000 MW could be added based on the average annual increase over the past five years.
