The U.S. renewable energy sector demonstrated significant momentum in the second quarter of 2026, with utility-scale solar installations rebounding, wind capacity additions hitting a multi-year high, and energy storage deployments setting a new record. Developers added capacity at a rapid pace, driven by strong demand from utilities and corporations that is outpacing the available supply of new projects.

This expansion occurred even as the industry navigated a complex landscape of policy headwinds, including trade tariffs, expiring tax credits, and persistent permitting bottlenecks. New analysis from S&P Global Market Intelligence, detailed in the US Renewable Energy Market Trends Update - Q2 2026 report, unpacks the data behind this growth, highlighting key trends in project development, developer market share, and the robust future pipeline.

Key Highlights

• Solar Rebounds: U.S. utility-scale solar installations recovered strongly in Q2 2026, with developers adding nearly 7.5 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity, a 21% increase year-over-year.
• Storage and Wind Surge: Battery storage additions reached a record 5.6 GW, while wind capacity saw its strongest quarter since 2021 with 5.1 GW of new additions.
• Developer Consolidation: The market is increasingly defined by scale, with top developers like NextEra Energy Inc. leading a robust pipeline. Strategic acquisitions and large-scale project execution are key differentiators.
• Robust Pipeline Persists: Despite policy and regulatory pressures, the future pipeline remains strong. Developers are targeting nearly 300 GW of new solar and over 212 GW of energy storage for completion between 2026 and 2031.

1. Solar Installations Rebounded Sharply in Q2

Following slowdowns in previous quarters, U.S. utility-scale solar installations showed a significant resurgence in the second quarter of 2026. Developers brought nearly 7.5 GW of new capacity online, representing a 56% increase from the first quarter of 2026 and a 21% rise from the same period in 2025. This surge pushed the total installed utility-scale solar capacity in the U.S. to 172.5 GW. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence data, this total has more than doubled over the last three years, underscoring persistent demand fundamentals that continue to drive the market forward.

2. Energy Storage Additions Hit a Record High

The U.S. energy storage sector continued its record-setting pace in Q2 2026. Developers added approximately 5.6 GW of battery storage capacity across 57 new large-scale projects, bringing the nation’s cumulative installed non-hydroelectric storage capacity to 54.5 GW. The geographic distribution remains highly concentrated, with about 95% of new capacity located in Texas and the Western U.S. A notable project completed was the Green River Energy Center in Utah, which pairs a 400-MW solar farm with a 400-MW/1,600-MWh battery system, highlighting the growing trend of co-located assets.

3. Wind Capacity Additions Jumped, Led by Megaprojects

The U.S. wind sector also saw a significant jump in capacity, adding 5,104 MW in the second quarter—the strongest period for new additions since the fourth quarter of 2021. This growth was driven by the completion of several megaprojects. The largest of these was Pattern Energy Group's SunZia project in New Mexico, which brought over 3,500 MW of wind capacity online in May. The quarter also saw the final 585-MW unit of the Vineyard Offshore Wind Project come online, marking the full completion of the first commercial-scale offshore wind project in the U.S.

4. Developer Landscape Shows Consolidation and Scale

The developer landscape for U.S. renewables is increasingly dominated by large players with the scale to navigate market complexities. NextEra Energy Inc. remained the top developer in Q2 2026, with a total planned pipeline of approximately 23.5 GW. Other major players include Electricité de France SA (EDF), Invenergy LLC, and RWE AG, which collectively plan to add tens of gigawatts through 2030. The market is also seeing strategic consolidation, such as KKR & Co. Inc.'s acquisition of EDF's North American operations, underscoring the sentiment that "scale matters more than ever" to meet rising power demand from data centers and electrification.

5. Robust Pipeline Persists Despite Regulatory Headwinds

Looking ahead, the project development pipeline remains substantial despite a challenging policy environment. Developers are contending with escalating costs from tariffs, including a 15% tariff on foreign polysilicon, and a critical July 4, 2026, deadline for tax credits that prompted a rush to safe-harbor facilities. Significant bottlenecks in local zoning, permitting, and interconnection queues remain major hurdles for the industry. Yet, S&P Global Market Intelligence data shows developers are targeting nearly 300 GW of new large-scale solar capacity by 2030 and over 212 GW of energy storage by 2031. This resilience highlights the strong economic drivers and long-term demand for renewable power.

How S&P Capital IQ Pro Supports Renewable Energy Market Analysis

Navigating the complexities of the U.S. renewable energy market requires access to comprehensive, timely data. The energy service on the S&P Capital IQ Pro platform provides detailed intelligence on project development, capacity trends, developer pipelines, and regulatory landscapes. Our platform allows users to track utility-scale solar, wind, and energy storage projects from announcement to operation; analyze regional market concentration; and identify key players to understand competitive dynamics and inform strategic decisions.

Key questions arising from US renewable energy trends in Q2 2026

How much solar capacity was added in the US in Q2 2026?
In the second quarter of 2026, the U.S. added nearly 7.5 GW of new utility-scale solar capacity. This brought the nation's total installed capacity to 172.5 GW.

What was the growth trend for US battery storage in Q2 2026?
The U.S. added a record 5.6 GW of large-scale battery storage capacity in Q2 2026. This was a significant increase from 4.4 GW in Q2 2025 and pushed cumulative capacity to 54.5 GW.

What were the key trends in US wind power in Q2 2026?
The US added 5.1 GW of wind capacity, the highest since Q4 2021, driven by large-scale projects. This included the completion of the massive SunZia project in New Mexico and the final phase of the Vineyard Offshore Wind project.

Who are the largest renewable energy developers in the US?
NextEra Energy Inc. remains the largest developer by pipeline capacity. Other major players include Electricité de France SA (EDF), Invenergy LLC, and RWE AG, indicating significant market consolidation around developers with scale.

What are the main challenges facing US renewable energy developers?
Developers face several headwinds, including increased costs from trade tariffs, expiring tax credits, and significant delays in local permitting and grid interconnection processes.

What does the project pipeline for US renewables look like?
The pipeline is robust, with nearly 300 GW of new solar planned through 2030 and over 212 GW of energy storage planned through 2031. A significant portion of this capacity is already under construction or in advanced development.

Methodology:
Market Intelligence considers a project as announced when it has a listing in an interconnection queue with an accompanying public announcement or permitting action. A project is considered in early development after permitting begins. For a project to be considered in advanced development, it must meet two out of five criteria: Financing is in place, power purchase agreements are signed, equipment is secured, required permits are approved or a contractor has signed on to the project. A project is under construction when building activity begins; site preparation does not qualify a project for this status.

The blog post above summarizes a series of our Q2'26 renewable energy updates published on the S&P Capital IQ Pro platform. S&P Global uses generative AI to create content in accordance with our Terms of Use.