US Expects To Add 32 Gigawatts Of Solar Power In 12 Months

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that 32 gigawatts (GW) of new solar power capacity will come online in the United States over the next 12 months (October 2025 through September 2026). Solar power continues to be the fastest-growing source of new electric generating capacity, driven primarily by large-scale photovoltaic projects from utilities and independent producers. Although about 5 GW of this total reflects delayed projects from previous periods, delays are generally short—typically only a month or two—and have decreased recently, suggesting improvements in construction and testing efficiency. Despite these delays, 2024 was a record year for solar capacity additions, with 31 GW installed, increasing total US utility-scale solar capacity by 34%. However, the solar industry faces significant political and regulatory challenges. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) warns that federal, state, and local permitting roadblocks—largely attributed to the fossil fuel industry's influence and policies from the Trump administration era—threat