50 Million Homes Powered as US Solar Capacity Surges to 299 GW
Cumulative US solar capacity reached approximately 299 gigawatts in the second quarter of 2026, generating enough electricity to power more than 50 million American homes. Project developers added 11.4 gigawatts of direct-current capacity between April and June, driven by utility-scale developments that expanded 61% year-on-year despite looming import tariffs and grid connection delays.
Utility-scale developments in Republican-leaning states drive Q2 surge while home solar drops
Utility-scale installations supplied 9.6 gigawatts of the quarterly total, with states won by Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election accounting for 71% of all new capacity added during the three-month period. Residential solar installations declined 10% from the previous quarter to 995 megawatts, even as overall additions jumped 45% compared to the second quarter of 2025.
The surge comes as the US Commerce Department finalized antidumping and countervailing duties on solar cell imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos on Sept. 11, setting up a final injury determination by the US International Trade Commission on Oct. 14.
