Latest data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that in the first nine months of 2025, U.S. electricity demand grew by 2.3%. However, the rapid development of solar power generation effectively offset over 80% of this new demand, providing strong support for the stable operation of the power grid. This shift in trends marks a profound adjustment in the U.S. energy structure.
At the beginning of the year, a surge in electricity demand driven by the expansion of data centers had raised concerns. Data indicated that the growth rate of U.S. electricity demand approached 5% early in 2025, with widespread market worries that excessive grid load might force a rebound in coal consumption. However, as time progressed, this growth momentum significantly slowed, with the explosive growth of solar power generation becoming a key variable. EIA statistics show that during the same period, solar power generation surged by 36% year-on-year, filling over 80% of the new electricity demand and effectively alleviating grid pressure.
In the field of renewable energy, solar power generation has achieved a historic breakthrough. Data shows that utility-scale solar power currently meets 7% of U.S. electricity demand. When including residential, commercial, and industrial distributed solar (which grew by 11%), the total solar power generation has reached over 90% of wind power’s contribution. Wind power currently covers 10% of U.S. electricity demand, but the growth rate of solar power far exceeds that of wind power, with expectations that it will surpass wind power entirely within two years. By then, the combined electricity generation from solar and wind will exceed that of nuclear energy, becoming a core pillar of the U.S. power grid.
The transformation of California’s power grid serves as a typical example. Over the past five years, the state’s utility-scale solar power generation has nearly doubled, with a 17% growth in 2024 alone. The synergistic development of solar energy and energy storage technologies has significantly reduced the grid’s reliance on natural gas. Data from May to June 2025 shows that battery storage systems absorb excess solar power during the day and release it during peak evening hours, effectively filling gaps that would otherwise require natural gas for peak shaving.
From the perspective of changes in the energy structure, aside from solar energy and coal, other energy sources in the U.S. remained largely stable in 2025. Natural gas still dominates, but wind and solar energy have established important positions. According to the latest news, EIA analysis points out that the large-scale development of solar power generation not only changes the energy supply landscape but also reduces the intermittency issues of renewable energy through technological advancements, providing replicable experience for the global energy transition. As the cost of energy storage continues to decline, the economic viability and reliability of solar power generation will further improve, and its share in the energy structure is expected to continue expanding.
