Solar Powers 61% of US Electricity Demand Growth in 2025
A recent report from the global energy think tank Ember reveals that solar power was responsible for 61 per cent of the growth in electricity demand in the United States during 2025. This underscores not only the critical role that solar technology plays in meeting rising energy needs but also its ability to resist the impacts of Donald Trump’s anti-clean energy policies.
In 2025, electricity demand in the US saw an increase of 135 terawatt-hours (TWh), representing a 3.1 per cent rise from the previous year and marking the fourth largest annual leap in the last decade.
Record Solar Generation Growth
In a remarkable surge, solar generation grew by 83 TWh in 2025, a 27 per cent increase compared to 2024, making it the largest absolute growth among all electricity sources for that year. This substantial rise not only helped meet the overall electricity demand but also accounted for nearly two-thirds of the total demand increase across the country.
Ember’s findings indicate that solar power thrived particularly in regions where electricity demand was at its peak. The highest increases in electricity demand were observed in the Texas, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic areas, with solar energy meeting 81 per cent of the demand growth in Texas and the Midwest, and 33 per cent in the Mid-Atlantic.
Daytime and Evening Demand Met by Solar
Solar power successfully addressed all the increase in electricity demand that occurred during daylight hours—specifically from 10:00 to 18:00 ET—while also contributing to the rise in demand during evening hours (18:00 to 02:00 ET) when supported by new battery storage systems.
Despite the record surge in solar generation, the addition of utility-scale solar capacity in 2025 dipped by 6 per cent compared to 2024. Conversely, however, battery capacity additions experienced an impressive increase of 133 per cent, reaching 26 gigawatts (GW), emphasizing the growing importance of battery storage in ensuring that solar now provides reliable power beyond daylight hours.
California’s Solar and Battery Performance
This transformative shift is most prominently illustrated in California, where the combined utility-scale solar and battery output rose by 58 per cent, despite only an 8 per cent rise in solar generation during peak sunlight hours. The bulk of this increased generation was effectively utilised in the evening, demonstrating the potential of solar energy paired with battery storage.
“Solar growth was essential in helping to meet fast-rising US electricity demand in 2025,” commented Dave Jones, chief analyst at Ember. “It generated where it was needed, and – with the surge in batteries – increasingly when it was needed. Solar has the potential to meet all the rise in electricity demand and much more. With electricity demand surging, the case to build solar has never been stronger.”
