Renewable energy surges to a quarter of U.S. electricity generation in Q1 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, renewable energy sources contributed over a quarter of the United States’ electrical generation, with a remarkable surge observed particularly in March, when renewables accounted for nearly a third of total generation.

According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), this marks a significant milestone as solar energy has emerged as the fastest-growing source of electricity in the country.

Utility-scale solar power grew by an astonishing 43.9% compared to the previous year, while small-scale solar installations saw an increase of 11.1%.

Solar energy leads the charge with 43.9% growth in electricity production

This growth allowed solar-generated electricity to surpass that produced by hydropower plants, recording 6.8% of total electrical generation against hydropower’s 5.7%. Combined, solar and wind energies accounted for 19% of the nation’s electrical output, marking a 2% increase year-on-year.

Wind energy also showed impressive growth, contributing 12.2% of the total electrical generation and increasing output by 9.5% in the first quarter of 2025. Particularly in March, wind power represented 14.8% of the electricity supply, surpassing both coal and nuclear contributions significantly.

As renewable energy continues to skyrocket, the EIA forecasts a substantial increase in utility-scale solar capacity in 2025, projecting the addition of 32.5 GW to the grid. Despite this progress, critics argue that current policies may attempt to hinder such advancements.

“It defies logic that the Trump administration and the Republican Congress would be trying to curtail that growth in favor of dirtier and more expensive technologies,” remarked Ken Bossong, executive director of the SUN DAY Campaign.

The momentum towards cleaner energy sources grows stronger, suggesting a rapid shift in how the U.S. generates electricity— a transition that is poised to have far-reaching implications for the energy landscape.