US Renewable Energy Output Hits 28.1% in May, Led by Solar and Wind

The share of renewable energy sources in electricity generation production in the United States rose to 28.1% in May 2025, a significant increase from last year's 26.5% figure. Data from the U.S... Despite ongoing political opposition, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the SUN DAY Campaign are both scrutinizing a steady upward trend in the country's shift towards cleaner energy options. 

In the five-month period from January to May 2025, the proportion of renewable electricity was up 9.7% compared to the previous year. Renewable production in May was 7.6% higher than the previous year, driven by the increasing use of solar and wind energy in the power sector. 

Solar power was the top contributor to renewable energy generation in May, accounting for over 11% of the total electricity generated in the country. The scope of this includes both utility-scale solar and smaller distributed sources. A 33% increase in utility-scale solar generation was observed during the same month as that of 2024. In the month, solar generated 38,965 GWh of electricity, which was more than wind's 36,907. GWh. 

This shift is part of a larger trend. In the first six months of this year, solar energy's contribution to the national electricity production was 8.4%. The increase is almost one-third from last year. The country's electricity generated from wind power accounted for 122% during the same period, with an increase of nearly 4% since 2024. 

Solar and wind sources accounted for 20.5% of total US electricity production in the first five months of 2025, with May alone making up 21.85% of all generated electricity. The solar and wind outputs combined are 26.2% higher than coal and 15.4% higher above nuclear power over the same period. The gap expanded in May, with wind and solar producing 55.7% of coal and nuclear making 22.1%.solar.'The. 

These numbers highlight what is a steady shift in the US electricity mix -- one where renewables are steadily replacing coal and nuclear sources. Increasing support for clean energy projects, reduced installation costs, and more advanced grid integration are the likely reasons for the rapid rise in solar. 

Despite previous evidence of inadequate support for green energy under federal policies, the renewables industry is still on the rise in the United States. However, the data indicates that the energy sector is moving towards sustainable energy infrastructure, based on market demand, cost efficiency, and long-term environmental considerations. Why this happening? 

These trends also point to recent technological and economic breakthroughs in the solar and wind industries.'... The growing proportion of them in the energy mix is a result of advanced energy storage methods, more efficient solar systems and turbines (and) an overall change towards greater energy investment._ 

According to the U.S. The Energy Information Administration predicts that renewable energy generation will continue to grow, particularly as more states enforce clean energy mandates and utilities reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. More information and monthly updates can be found on the EIA's official website. 

Source: 
Data sourced from the U.S. The SUN DAY Campaign and the Energy Information Administration (EIA)..... 1. Original data available at www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly.