New data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), reviewed by the Sun Day Campaign, shows that wind power continued to expand its contribution to the USA electricity mix during the first four months of 2026, while wind, solar and battery storage are expected to account for more than 78.5 GW of new generating capacity by April 2027. Over the same period, total fossil fuel and nuclear generating capacity is projected to decline by more than 5.2 GW.
Electricity generation from renewable energy sources increased by 10.03% compared with the same period in 2025, according to the EIA's latest *Electric Power Monthly* report covering data through April 2026. Wind generation rose by 3.4%, while utility-scale solar increased by 21.3%, small-scale solar by 11.9% and hydropower by 15.7%.
Combined wind and solar generation, including small-scale solar, supplied 21.8% of total USA electricity generation during the first four months of 2026. In April alone, both wind and solar individually generated more electricity than coal-fired power plants, while their combined output exceeded nuclear generation by 57%.
Renewable energy sources accounted for 30.0% of total USA electricity generation during the period, compared with 27.8% a year earlier. Over the same period, coal-fired generation fell by 11.6%, natural gas generation increased by 2.8% and nuclear generation rose by 0.5%.
Installed wind capacity increased by 5,976.4 MW between May 2025 and April 2026, contributing to almost 40 GW of new renewable energy capacity added during the year. Utility-scale solar added 27,572.3 MW and small-scale solar grew by 6,492.2 MW. In April, utility-scale solar capacity exceeded wind capacity for the first time, reaching 160,208.1 MW compared with 160,100.6 MW.
Looking ahead, the EIA projects that utility-scale wind capacity will increase by a further 13,154.4 MW by April 2027, including 3,355 MW of offshore wind. Utility-scale solar is expected to add 42,527.2 MW, while other renewable technologies will contribute a further 298.7 MW. Together, utility-scale renewable energy sources are forecast to add 55,980.3 MW of new capacity over the 12-month period, around 68% more than was added during the previous year.
Including battery storage, the EIA expects wind, solar and energy storage projects to add 78,809.2 MW of new generating capacity by spring 2027. Battery energy storage alone is forecast to expand by 22,828.9 MW, increasing total installed storage capacity by more than 47% to 71,007.4 MW.
If small-scale solar continues to grow at a similar pace, the Sun Day Campaign estimates total renewable generating capacity could exceed that of natural gas by early 2027.
