Solar could provide 40% of US power by 2035, but only if installations quadruple this decade

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
US President Joe Biden visiting a solar farm on the campaign trail in 2020. Image: Joe Biden for President.

Solar PV could provide up to 40% of the US’ total power demand by 2035, but only if annual installations quadruple by the middle of the decade.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has made the conclusion within a new study, published today, which details how solar PV could become the nation’s largest source of electricity by 2035, with the solar sector employing as many as 1.5 million people.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The Solar Futures Study, prepared for the DOE by its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), calls for a significant, yet equitable upscaling of solar PV and other renewable power installations in the US over the course of the coming decade.

It states that solar’s contribution to national power demand could rise from today’s 3% to 40% by 2035, with total solar generation capacity skyrocketing to as much as 3TW by 2050 due to further electrification of transport, heating and other heavy industries.

However to achieve that target annual installs must grow to an average of 30GW between now and 2025, before doubling to an average of 60GW per year between 2025 and 2030. Last year the US notched a new record for solar installations of 15GWac.

In total, solar PV would need to have a total installed capacity of nearly 1TW by 2035 to establish a renewables-dominant grid in the US.

The study is likely to draw into stark focus recent regulatory moves in the US which have threatened to disrupt the supply of solar PV modules into the country from Chinese manufacturers. A Withhold Release Order (WRO) on silicon products produced by leading polysilicon provider Hoshine Silicon Industry is now said to be being enforced in earnest, while last week the World Trade Organisation dismissed a challenge to import tariffs placed on solar cells and modules from China.

Meanwhile petitions filed with the Department of Commerce in July by a coalition of unnamed US-based solar manufacturers seeking to extend anti-dumping and countervailing duties to Southeast Asia-based subsidiaries of some of the solar industry’s largest module makers could disrupt supply further.

Developers and EPCs in the US have signalled to PV Tech their concern over industry supply chains as a result of policy decisions.

But the study itself highlights the need for supportive decarbonisation policies, along with advanced technologies, to further reduce the cost of solar PV. Grid reinforcements will also be necessary to increase solar’s proliferation across the US, with the DOE’s study indicating that storage deployment will soar from 30GW today to nearly 400GW in 2035 and 1.7TW by 2050.

US Energy Secretary Jenniger Granholm said the study establishes solar as the US’ cheapest and fastest-growing source of clean energy, capable of powering all of the country’s homes by 2035.

“Achieving this bright future requires a massive and equitable deployment of renewable energy and strong decarbonization polices –  exactly what is laid out in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda,” she said.

More to follow…

21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.

Read Next

September 18, 2025
Researchers have called for enhanced international standards to detect ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID) in PV modules after identifying “severe” levels of the problem in operational n-type panels.             
September 17, 2025
US renewables developer Longroad Energy has reached financial close for its 400MW 1000 Mile solar project in the US state of Texas.
September 17, 2025
Nexamp has secured US$350 million through a long-term financing facility to expand its 6GW utility-scale solar and battery storage pipeline in the US. 
September 17, 2025
The California State Legislature has passed two bills that aim to reduce energy prices in the state, AB 825 and SB 302.
Premium
September 16, 2025
At RE+, industry leaders pointed to the resilience of the US solar sector, despite challenges brought by the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' Act.
September 15, 2025
Italy’s latest renewable energy tender has received 12GW of bids, of which the majority, 10GW, came from solar PV.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA