Solar powers Texas to fastest electricity generation growth in the U.S.

Electricity generation in Texas is outgrowing the rest of the nation as solar power booms to meet the demands of energy-intensive industries and population flocking to the Lone Star State.

With a 3.2% increase in utility-scale generation in the first half of the year, Texas topped the U.S. growth rate of 2.1%, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. It was followed by Washington, Tennessee, Ohio and New Mexico to round out the top five states by growth across all generation sources.

Texas’ 3.2% growth represented an increase of 9,086 gigawatt-hours since the first half of 2025. In total, Texas power plants generated more energy than any other state: 293,151 gigawatt-hours.

READ MORE: Texas leads U.S. in solar growth as the renewable tops coal for first time

Solar drives Texas electricity growth

Solar was the star of the Texas energy boom, surging 35.2% to 35,992 gigawatt-hours of energy generation. That means 9,373 gigawatt-hours of utility-scale solar were added to the Texas grid from January through June than during the same period a year ago.

Wind power was up 6.5%, adding 4,527 gigawatt-hours.

Coal had the largest decline in total generation, with a nearly 8% decrease since the first half of 2025. The move reflects the continuing shift away from fossil fuels, apparent in plans by San Antonio's CPS Energy to retire its coal plants by the end of the decade. Other utilities across the state also are moving away from coal.

As coal declines, renewables have largely been taking its place. In May, solar provided more energy than coal on a monthly basis for the first time. Now, solar is on track to surpass coal in total annual energy generation. It would be the first time solar has beat out coal in Texas.

Fossil fuels remain dominant nationwide

Despite efforts to increase its presence, nuclear energy declined 6.5% for 1,361 gigawatt-hours less electricity compared with the first half of 2025. 

Natural gas also dipped, but only by 0.3%. There were 343 fewer gigawatt-hours of natural gas generated in Texas in the first half of the year compared with the year prior. 

Still, gas-fired power plants continue to be the nation's main source of electricity generation, accounting for 38.4% of power across the U.S. in the first six months of 2026. Renewables followed, with 28.5%. Nuclear was at 17.9% while coal made up 14.4% of the nation’s total generation.

The EIA estimates that the average U.S. household uses 10,800 kilowatt-hours per year.