58 Gigawatts Of Solar Power Are Hiding In Plain Sight - CleanTechnica

The article highlights the significant but often overlooked contribution of distributed solar power in the United States, noting that as of October, 58.1 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity is installed across rooftops, parking lot canopies, and other small-scale sites. While utility-scale solar projects typically receive more attention, this distributed capacity represents a substantial portion of the nation’s solar footprint. The US Energy Information Agency (EIA) projects that renewables, including wind, utility-scale solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, will account for about 26% of US electricity generation in 2026, with wind expected to generate 11.4% and utility-scale solar close behind at 8.1%. Notably, utility-scale solar capacity is forecasted to grow rapidly, potentially surpassing wind capacity in 2026 due to slower wind growth and regulatory challenges, especially in offshore wind development. The article also underscores solar power’s economic advantages and its role in diversifying energy