US solar capacity now large enough to power 50 million homes
A record-breaking second quarter pushed total US solar capacity to a level that could power a third of the country's homes, even as federal support cools.
The United States has installed enough solar capacity to power roughly 50 million homes — about a third of the country's housing stock — according to the latest US Solar Market Insight report from the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie. Developers added 11.4 gigawatts of new solar in the second quarter of 2026 alone, a 45% jump from the same period last year, with utility-scale projects accounting for the bulk of the growth as builders rushed to finish projects ahead of a July tax-credit deadline.
Solar and battery storage combined made up 70% of all new US power generation capacity added in the quarter. SEIA's chief executive said the two technologies have grown to a scale "most Americans have yet to fully realize," and argued the country can't meet rising electricity demand without them.
The growth comes despite a federal administration that has been openly skeptical of solar power. Analysts expect the sector to keep expanding through 2031, though permitting delays and the loss of federal investment tax credits are expected to slow the pace.
Based on reporting for CleanTechnica. Read the original: https://cleantechnica.com/2026/09/10/solar-power-now-enough-for-50-million-us-homes/
This article was produced with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by an editor before publication.
