Market Pulse: Utility-Scale Solar Summer 2026

Utility-scale solar power has rapidly evolved from an emerging generation resource into a significant contributor to the U.S. energy grid. Across the country, large-scale solar facilities are supplying increasing amounts of electricity to homes, businesses, and industries while helping meet rising demand and diversifying the nation’s generation mix.

This new Market Pulse report brings together ACP data from across our work and examines how utility-scale solar is delivering energy to Americans in all 50 states, strengthening our nation’s grid, and supporting over half a million American jobs.

TOP TAKEWAYS

Solar is delivering power now:

• Operational capacity is now 161 GW.
• Utility-scale solar generates enough energy to power nearly 34 million homes.
• 9 states have over 5 GW of operational capacity.
• Solar generated 8.9% of total U.S. electricity in the past year.
• 14 states generate over 10% of their electricity from solar.

Solar is set to keep delivering power in the future:

• 300 GW by 2030, to produce 12% of total U.S. electricity generation.
• More than 40% of new energy adds through 2030 will be solar.
• The utility-scale solar pipeline is up to 104 GW.
• Every state has at least one utility-scale solar project in the pipeline.

MARKET PULSE REPORTS

ACP’s Market Pulse series are member-only, technology-specific reports intended to serve as a resource hub for the latest ACP data, analysis, and forecasting. The reports utilize data from the ACP Research Team’s latest Quarterly Market Reports, in-house outlooks, and subject matter expert insights to offer deep-dives and new perspectives on a single renewable energy technology.

Market Pulse reports are a living toolbox for ACP members to utilize for policy, advocacy, education, and more. The reports include technology-specific infographics, maps, data visualizations, and trending topic spotlights to be shared and referenced.

The full Market Pulse: Utility-Scale Solar Summer 2026 report is available for ACP members.

Individuals who are not members of ACP can explore the infographic and other ACP resources in our resource library.

Interested in ACP Membership? Join the American Clean Power Association today.

Last updated: August 12, 2026