Solar PV made the greatest contribution to additional capacity
Future looks bright for US solar
Solar PV again made the greatest contribution to new capacity last year, and the probable extension of policy incentives will help the sector thrive
The US solar industry installed over 19GW of capacity in 2020 and is on track to add a further 324GW by 2031 to reach a total of 419GW, according to analysis by the US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and consultancy Wood Mackenzie. Solar PV accounted for the greatest contribution to power generation capacity in the US for the second successive year due to falling costs and ongoing policy incentives. The 2031 forecast is based only on already-announced policies and could therefore be an underestimate. If the Biden administration legislates for more long-term incentives, which would be in line with its prioritisation of the climate agenda, the estimates would increase further.
Also in this section
28 November 2025
The launch of the bloc’s emissions trading system in 2005 was a pioneering step, but as the scheme hits 21 its impact as a driver of decarbonisation is still open to debate
18 November 2025
Vicki Hollub, president and CEO of Occidental, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Dewhurst Award, the highest honour bestowed by WPC Energy. The Dewhurst Award celebrates exceptional leadership, groundbreaking innovation and a lifetime of significant achievements in sup-port of the development and advancement of the energy industry.
11 November 2025
Transition policies must recognise that significant industrial demand for carbon will continue even as economies hit net zero
6 November 2025
After years of pursuing ideologically driven climate leadership, Western powers are now stepping back under mounting political pressure and rising populist opposition—prompting concern essential climate action could be sidelined
