US solar hits 50-million-home milestone as red states drive growth
US solar capacity surpassed a milestone in Q2 2026, enough to generate the electricity used by about 50 million homes (over a third of households). The quarter added 11.4 GWdc of new capacity, up 45% year-over-year and 43% from Q1, with utility-scale projects accounting for 9.6 GWdc (up 61%). Solar plus storage comprised 70% of all new US power capacity in the first half of 2026. Red-state states led installations, and Wood Mackenzie forecasts about 44 GWdc of solar additions annually through 2031, though permitting and post-ITC transitions pose headwinds; residential solar is expected to rebound in 2027 after the expiration of the 30% ITC for new systems.”,
