Science · Facts & sources
6 sourced facts about solar energy, each with the context behind the number. 4 more are in today's round and appear here after it closes.
Answerabout 7%
Natural gas was the top source at about 41%; solar made up 28% of utility-scale renewable generation.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electricity in the U.S. (2025) eia.gov
AnswerCalifornia (25% of the U.S. total)
Texas was second with 17%, and California also produced nearly 40% of all small-scale (rooftop-type) solar power.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Where solar is found and used (2023) eia.gov
Answer6,203,568 systems
Most are small rooftop systems on homes, though big utility-scale farms produce most of the power.
Source: SEIA / Wood Mackenzie, U.S. Solar Market Insight seia.org
AnswerChina (33% of world total)
The U.S. was second with 16%, followed by Japan and India (7% each) and Germany (5%).
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Where solar is found and used (2022) eia.gov
Answerabout 31%
Utility-scale PV plants made about 69%; residential systems produce 68% of the small-scale total.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Where solar is found and used (2023) eia.gov
Answer299.4 GW
The U.S. installed 11.4 gigawatts in the second quarter of 2026 alone, even as the residential segment slowed.
Source: SEIA / Wood Mackenzie, U.S. Solar Market Insight Q3 2026 seia.org