EIA projects solar to widen its summer role in the US power mix

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA), a federal agency in the United States that compiles energy statistics and analysis, said in its ‘April 2026 Short-Term Energy Outlook’ that solar’s share of US electricity generation is estimated to increase from 7% in 2025 to 8% in 2026 and 9% in 2027. The agency said that the total US electricity demand is projected to grow by 1.2% to 4,108 BkWh in 2026 and by 3.3% to 4,244 BkWh in 2027. The total electricity generation is forecasted to increase by 1.2% to 4,325 BkWh in 2026 and by 3.4% to 4,470 BkWh in 2027. According to the agency, solar will drive generation growth in 2026 at 17%, ahead of hydro at 6% and wind at 5%. It added that solar generation reaches its peak during the summer months, when output is expected to be 17% higher in 2026 than it was last summer. The report also said solar generation in summer moved ahead of wind in 2025 for the first time, and in summer 2027 it is forecast to rise by 22% to 178 BkWh, exceeding wind generation by almost 30%, although wind is still expected to generate more over the full year.