Each week, we highlight key renewable energy developments to help homes and businesses better understand how electricity systems are evolving. We look at broader trends shaping capacity growth, system reliability, and long-term energy planning.
This week’s insights examine how solar and battery storage are driving new power capacity additions in the United States, alongside a major Canadian wind generation milestone that demonstrates how renewable energy performs over time in real-world conditions.
1. EIA: Solar and Battery Storage Led U.S. Capacity Growth in 2025
Recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that solar and battery energy storage were the largest contributors to new power capacity growth in 2025. Between January and October, utility-scale solar capacity increased by nearly 19.5 GW, while battery storage grew by more than 12 GW, underscoring how quickly clean energy technologies are scaling across the country.
What stands out is not only the volume of new capacity, but how these technologies are increasingly deployed together. Solar generates most of its electricity during daylight hours, while battery systems store excess energy and discharge it during periods of higher demand. This pairing improves grid flexibility and helps manage variability, enabling renewable energy to play a more central role in meeting electricity needs.
As solar and storage adoption continues to accelerate, these technologies are reshaping how new power systems are designed — prioritizing responsiveness, modular growth, and long-term resilience.
2. Wind Energy Institute of Canada Surpasses 500 GWh of Renewable Electricity Generation
In Canada, the Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan), located in Prince Edward Island, recently reached an important operational milestone by surpassing 500 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of renewable electricity generation from its wind research facilities.
This achievement reflects sustained wind performance over many years and provides valuable insight into how wind energy operates across varying weather patterns and seasonal conditions. Beyond power generation, WEICan’s research supports improvements in turbine performance, grid integration, and wind resource assessment — all of which contribute to more reliable and efficient wind deployment.
Long-term milestones like this demonstrate that renewable energy can deliver consistent output over time, reinforcing wind power’s role as a dependable component of modern electricity systems.
3. Record Clean Energy Capacity Added in the U.S. in Q2 2025
According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the United States added approximately 8.75 GW of clean energy capacity in the second quarter of 2025 alone. Solar accounted for the largest share of new additions, while battery energy storage represented more than 40% of the total increase.
This quarter-level snapshot highlights the pace at which renewable energy and storage are being deployed. Rather than incremental growth, clean energy is now driving capacity expansion at scale across multiple regions and markets.
The growing role of energy storage alongside solar and wind reflects a broader shift toward power systems that emphasize flexibility, fast deployment, and reliability — key characteristics needed to support increasing electricity demand and renewable penetration.
Looking Ahead
Together, these developments point to a clear trend across North America: renewable energy and energy storage are becoming central to how new electricity capacity is built and operated. From long-term performance milestones in Canada to rapid capacity expansion in the United States, these insights highlight how clean energy systems are evolving to deliver reliable, flexible, and sustainable power.
Understanding these trends can help homes and businesses make more informed decisions as the energy landscape continues to change.
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References
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Electrek — Solar and battery storage led U.S. capacity growth in 2025
https://electrek.co/2025/12/29/eia-all-net-new-generating-capacity-in-2026-may-be-renewables/ -
Wind Energy Institute of Canada — WEICan surpasses 500 GWh of renewable electricity generation
https://www.weican.ca/wind-energy-institute-of-canada-surpasses-500-gwh-of-renewable-electricity-generation/ -
S&P Global Market Intelligence — U.S. added 8.753 GW of clean energy capacity in Q2 2025
https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/news-research/latest-news/electric-power/100125-us-renewables-tracker-8753-gw-of-clean-energy-capacity-added-in-q2
