HOUSTON — Texas led the nation in solar power installations last year, according to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The state installed roughly 11 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2025, more than double that of any other state.
Daniel Giese, SEIA’s state affairs director for Texas, said the growth is driven by rising energy demand and an influx of data centers, which require large amounts of electricity. Texas also experienced the largest population increase in the country last year, further boosting power needs.
The state now has about 52 gigawatts of solar power, enough to supply electricity to more than six million homes. Texas is also on track to lead the U.S. in energy storage, which complements solar by capturing excess daytime power and deploying it when demand spikes, helping to stabilize electricity prices.
“It’s just the perfect storm of load growth coming online, and then the need for power,” Giese said. “Solar is able to power the state during the daytime. Battery storage captures that excess, cheap power, and then deploys it to ensure there are no price spikes for Texans.”
With its combination of solar and storage, Texas is positioning itself as a national leader in renewable energy and grid reliability.