New US electricity-generating capacity additions, 2010 – 2025
Throughout 2025, the industry navigated unprecedented change, ranging from numerous trade actions to the reversal of renewable energy tax credit policy. Many projects stayed on track, but the market and policy uncertainty took a toll, leading to project delays and cancellations across all segments. The residential sector ended 2025 virtually flat compared to 2024. Installers rushed to complete projects before the Section 25D tax credit expired, but limited timing to complete sales and install projects, as well as some equipment shortages, limited projects (NEM 2.0) continued to come online in 2025. Meanwhile, community solar declined by 25% compared to 2024. This have declined as pipelines in these markets are built out with little to no planned new development. Utility-scale solar installations declined by 16% in 2025. In the second half of the year, developers focused on safe harboring Photovoltaic (PV) solar accounted for 54% of all new electricity-generating capacity additions in 2025. Despite a turbulent shift, akin to that of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. The legislation accelerated the phaseout of multiple tax credits for solar projects. It also sets new deadlines: projects must either begin construction before July 4, 2026, or be placed into service by December 31, 2027, to qualify for full tax credits. Projects that meet the construction-start deadline have a four-