Renewable Energy Surges Despite Political Hurdles
Despite strong criticism, renewable energy is thriving in 2026. In 2025, the United States added a record 51.6 gigawatts (GW) of new clean power—equivalent to about 25 Hoover Dams. Most of this capacity came from solar panels and batteries, and 2026 looks set to be even bigger, according to a report from Atlas Public Policy and the Environmental Defense Fund.
This growth arrives at a crucial time. After nearly twenty years of steady electricity use, demand is rising due to AI, data centers, and new factories and homes. Clean power is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to meet this demand and keep bills manageable. However, the report shows a mixed picture: while solar and storage are booming, more projects are being canceled, and recent federal policy changes are making it harder to build clean energy.
Solar and Batteries Lead the Way
As of early 2026, about 471 GW of clean power is already operating in the U.S. One gigawatt (a billion watts) can power hundreds of thousands of homes. In addition, another 222 GW is planned or under construction—about a third of all clean capacity announced so far.
Clean energy accounts for about three-quarters of all new power capacity being planned or built across the country. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that solar alone makes up about half of the new additions. Two main technologies dominate the pipeline: solar represents 56% of planned or under-construction projects, and batteries add another 29%. Combined, they make up 85% of the nation’s clean power projects. Wind makes up most of the rest at about 14%. Developers plan to invest around $377 billion in this new capacity by 2031.
Batteries are growing the fastest. The 65 GW of battery storage planned or being built already surpasses the roughly 47 GW currently operating. Batteries do not generate electricity themselves; they store energy and release it when demand is high or when the sun goes down, making them a key link for integrating solar and wind power into the grid around the clock.
Why a “Gigawatt” Can Be Misleading
Not all gigawatts are equal. The numbers above refer to “nameplate capacity”—the maximum a plant can produce under perfect conditions. In reality, output is always lower due to sunset, wind slowdowns, and maintenance. Engineers use a “capacity factor” to measure actual annual output. Solar and wind have lower capacity factors than natural gas, which runs continuously. So a gigawatt of solar produces less electricity over a year than a gigawatt of gas. Yet the U.S. is building so much solar that its expected real-world output now matches the actual output of all new natural gas planned. The large volume of solar compensates for the lower capacity factor. With 222 GW of current production, the expected output after considering capacity factors is 156 GW—enough to power about 30% of U.S. homes. This marks a major step forward in just one year, given the current political climate.
Texas Is the Country’s Clean Energy Capital
The top state for building clean power is not California but Texas. Texas has about 164 GW of clean capacity planned, under construction, or operating—almost twice California’s 83 GW. Texas leads the nation in solar, onshore wind, and battery storage, thanks to its open land, strong sun and wind, and a grid that connects new projects quickly. This highlights a surprising fact: clean power is mostly growing in red states. The report shows that 80% of existing and planned clean capacity is in congressional districts held by Republicans. Solar farms and wind turbines need affordable, open land, often found in rural areas. Washington State leads in hydroelectric power, and California leads in geothermal, but the largest clean-energy growth is happening in places that defy the usual political map.
The Looming Threat of Project Cancellations
The other side of the story is what is not being built. Developers canceled over 8 GW of planned clean energy projects in just the first three months of 2026. Since early 2025, more than 21 GW have been canceled. Solar projects were hit hardest, making up more than half of first-quarter cancellations.
Clean Power Capacity Construction Canceled in Q1 2026:
- Solar: 123.3 GW planned, 4.7 GW canceled (4%)
- Batteries: 65.1 GW planned, 3.1 GW canceled (5%)
- Onshore wind: 24.1 GW planned, 0.2 GW canceled (1%)
- Natural gas (for comparison): 65.5 GW planned, 0.6 GW canceled (1%)
Most cancellations occurred in a few states. Texas, which leads in building clean power, also had the most cancellations, dropping about 2.3 GW—only 3% of its huge pipeline. Colorado lost more in percentage terms: over 1.5 GW canceled, or 38% of its planned clean capacity. Across the country, these canceled projects meant losing about $13 billion in investment and around 33,600 construction jobs. At the same time, developers quickly increased plans for natural gas, adding nearly 21 GW of capacity in just one quarter. The EIA often records more cancellations in the first quarter, so some of this spike may be due to reporting timing rather than a sudden drop in projects.
Federal Policies Complicate Clean Energy Growth
These cancellations are not happening without cause. Several federal changes have increased costs and uncertainty for clean energy developers:
- Tax credits are shrinking. The 2025 budget law known as the OFC Reconciliation set strict new deadlines for tax credits driving wind and solar growth. To qualify, most projects must begin construction by mid-2026 or start operating by the end of 2027. The law also ended the 30% tax credit for home solar after 2025.
- Permitting is slowing down. Federal reviews for clean power projects on both public and private land have been delayed several times due to new Department of the Interior rules.
- Wind project reviews are on hold. In 2026, the Department of Defense stopped over 150 onshore wind projects, citing possible interference with military radar. About 30 GW of wind capacity is stalled while these reviews are paused.
- Offshore wind developers are being paid to stop. The administration offered developers about $2 billion, later increased to $2.5 billion, to cancel offshore wind leases and redirect funds to oil and gas projects. The Department of Energy has kept about 17 GW of coal capacity from shutting down, part of a push to extend the life of aging plants.
Higher fuel prices caused by tariffs have shifted what gets built. The share of planned U.S. power capacity from fossil fuels has risen from 9% at the end of 2022 to 27% now—three times higher. Some of the administration’s actions are now being challenged in court, including one attempt to remove tax credits for approved clean-energy projects.
What Individuals Can Do to Support Clean Energy
While developers build clean power and policy shapes it, individuals still have real influence:
- Go solar before tax credit deadlines, if it fits your budget. The federal residential solar tax credit ended after 2025, but many states offer incentives and net-metering programs. Check your state energy office and utility for current options.
- Choose clean electricity if your utility offers it. Many providers allow you to buy renewable power or subscribe to community solar, supporting local projects without rooftop panels.
- Pair storage with solar where you can. Home batteries improve resilience during outages and reduce strain on the grid during peak demand.
- Weigh in on local projects. Clean energy siting is decided at the county and state level. Public comment periods and utility rate cases let residents support or slow new solar, wind, and transmission projects.
- Track the policy. Tax credits, permitting rules, and state clean-energy targets are changing fast. Following them helps you time decisions and hold leaders accountable.
Individual actions will not build a gigawatt on their own. However, by showing clear demand, voting locally, and supporting regulations, people can help decide which projects get funded and which do not. The grid you want is possible if you take action.