Solar energy generation vs. capacity in United States
United States: Solar energy generation vs. capacity was 392,747 terawatt-hours in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Solar energy generation vs. capacity in United States, 1983–2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in terawatt-hours.
Analysis
In 2025, solar energy generation vs. capacity in United States stood at 392,747 terawatt-hours. That is the highest value across all 43 years on record.
That represents a change of up 28.0% on the previous year and up 896.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, solar energy generation vs. capacity in United States peaked at 392,747 terawatt-hours in 2025 and was at its lowest, 3 terawatt-hours, in 1983.
United States ranks 2nd of 79 countries on this measure, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 43.73 terawatt-hours | 3 terawatt-hours | 253.13 terawatt-hours | 7 |
| 1990s | 486.64 terawatt-hours | 370.8 terawatt-hours | 541.34 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 938.1 terawatt-hours | 518.51 terawatt-hours | 2,076 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 43,723 terawatt-hours | 3,013 terawatt-hours | 107,974 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 241,031 terawatt-hours | 132,041 terawatt-hours | 392,747 terawatt-hours | 6 |
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 45.61 (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is solar energy generation vs. capacity in United States?
- Solar energy generation vs. capacity in United States was 392,747 terawatt-hours in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest solar energy generation vs. capacity recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 392,747 terawatt-hours in 2025.
- What is the lowest solar energy generation vs. capacity recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 3 terawatt-hours in 1983.
- How does United States rank for solar energy generation vs. capacity?
- United States ranks 2nd out of 79 countries with data for 2025.
- Is solar energy generation vs. capacity rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 896.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Solar energy generation vs. capacity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 43 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Figures are based on gross generation and do not account for cross-border electricity supply.