U.S. Wind, Solar Output Jumps 10% in H1 2026, Beating Nuclear and Coal
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 13
U.S. Wind, Solar Output Jumps 10% in H1 2026, Beating Nuclear and Coal
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 13
Summary
Preliminary EIA data showed U.S. wind and solar generation rose 10% in the first half of 2026, producing more electricity than both nuclear and coal despite Trump administration efforts to aid coal and curb renewables.
Data-center and AI demand is driving utilities to add power quickly, and analysts say solar remains the fastest, cheapest option; EPRI estimates data centers could consume 17% of U.S. generation by 2030, up from about 5% in early 2026.
Coal generation fell 10% while natural gas output was essentially flat, and renewables also got a lift from Biden-era projects entering service, including the 3,650-megawatt SunZia wind project in New Mexico.
The outlook is mixed: Trump ended wind and solar tax credits on July 4 for new projects, though developments already under construction can still claim them until 2030, and the administration is adding new hurdles for wind and solar.
As AI's energy thirst grows, can renewables alone power America's tech boom?
With federal tax credits gone, what will fuel the next wave of clean energy investment?
How will the U.S. resolve growing conflicts between new wind farms and military operations?
U.S. Energy Transformation 2026: Solar Surpasses Wind as Renewables and Storage Add 40 GW Amid Surging Demand
Overview
In the first half of 2026, the U.S. energy sector experienced a historic transformation, building on record production from 2025. Nearly 40 GW of new renewable capacity was added, mainly from solar and wind, with utility-scale solar expanding by 27.57 GW and small-scale solar by 6.49 GW. This surge led to utility-scale solar capacity surpassing wind for the first time. The rapid growth in renewables was supported by a significant increase in battery storage, helping to integrate these sources into the grid and marking a major step toward a cleaner, more diversified U.S. energy mix.