Installed solar energy capacity in United States
United States: Installed solar energy capacity was 177.59 gigawatts in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Installed solar energy capacity in United States, 2000–2024
Source: IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in gigawatts.
Analysis
In 2024, installed solar energy capacity in United States stood at 177.59 gigawatts. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
That represents a change of up 26.9% on the previous year and up 906.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, installed solar energy capacity in United States peaked at 177.59 gigawatts in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.457 gigawatts, in 2002.
That places United States 2nd out of 218 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.01 gigawatts | 0.457 gigawatts | 2.09 gigawatts | 10 |
| 2010s | 26.2 gigawatts | 3.38 gigawatts | 60.83 gigawatts | 10 |
| 2020s | 120.19 gigawatts | 75.79 gigawatts | 177.59 gigawatts | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States
More energy & mining data for United States
- Fuel imports 7.5% (2024)
- Ores and metals imports 2.1% (2024)
- Ores and metals exports 2.9% (2024)
- Gas production 10,737 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 30,919 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 10,737 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Gas production per person 30,919 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel exports 18.3% (2024)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 5.3% (2024)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 45.6% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is installed solar energy capacity in United States?
- Installed solar energy capacity in United States was 177.59 gigawatts in 2024, according to IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest installed solar energy capacity recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 177.59 gigawatts in 2024.
- What is the lowest installed solar energy capacity recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.457 gigawatts in 2002.
- How does United States rank for installed solar energy capacity?
- United States ranks 2nd out of 218 countries with data for 2024.
- Is installed solar energy capacity rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 906.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Installed solar energy capacity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total solar (on- and off-grid) electricity installed capacity, measured in gigawatts. This includes solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar power.