Solar Power Generation by State: November 2026 Report

Choose Energy’s November 2026 Solar Energy Generation Report analyzes the latest available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), which covers August 2026. The report includes utility-scale solar photovoltaic and thermal generation as well as estimated small-scale solar photovoltaic generation.

Texas ranked first for monthly solar electricity generation in August 2026, producing 10,346 thousand megawatt-hours. This represented 21.0% of the 49,206 thousand megawatt-hours generated nationwide. California ranked second with 9,978 thousand megawatt-hours, accounting for 20.3% of the national total.

August marked only the second month in the EIA’s monthly all-solar data that Texas generated more solar electricity than California. Texas first moved ahead in November 2025, before California reclaimed the top position from December 2025 through July 2026. Texas’ return to first place highlights the state’s rapidly expanding role in U.S. solar generation.

According to the EIA’s Electric Power Monthly, U.S. solar electricity generation decreased 5.3% from July to August 2026 but remained 17.8% higher than in August 2025. Total solar generation reached 49,206 thousand megawatt-hours in August 2026.

The tables below use EIA state-level electricity data to compare each state’s total solar generation, monthly and annual percentage changes, share of U.S. solar generation, and solar share of statewide electricity generation. States are ranked by total solar generation in August 2026, with a ranking of 1 indicating the highest amount.

The EIA marked total solar generation for Alabama, Alaska, and New Hampshire as not available or not meaningful. These states are shown as NA and excluded from the rankings. North Dakota ranked 47th with less than 1 thousand megawatt-hour of solar generation.

Solar energy is one component of a state’s total electricity generation. Other common sources include coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, and wind power. A state does not need to generate a large amount of electricity nationally for solar to represent a significant share of its electricity mix.

Based on the EIA’s August 2026 electricity data, solar energy accounted for approximately 10.7% of total U.S. electricity generation. California had the highest statewide solar share at 35.7%, followed by Vermont at 35.5% and Massachusetts at 30.3%. The following table ranks the states with the highest percentage of electricity generated from solar energy.

These percentages compare total solar generation, including estimated small-scale solar, with total utility-scale electricity generation plus estimated small-scale solar generation.

U.S. solar electricity generation increased 17.8% from August 2025 to August 2026, rising from 41,778 thousand megawatt-hours to 49,206 thousand megawatt-hours. Texas’ solar generation increased 32.4% during this period, from 7,813 thousand megawatt-hours to 10,346 thousand megawatt-hours. California’s generation increased 6.2%, from 9,398 thousand megawatt-hours to 9,978 thousand megawatt-hours.

The following table compares each state’s solar electricity generation in August 2025 and August 2026 and shows the annual percentage change. States with unavailable or statistically unreliable EIA data are shown as NA.

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Journalists and researchers looking for historical solar generation data, methodology details, or additional context can contact the Choose Energy team.

How is solar energy measured?

Solar electricity generation is measured in megawatt-hours (MWh), while solar generating capacity is measured in megawatts (MW). The tables on this page report generation in thousand MWh. One thousand MWh equals 1,000 MWh, or 1 million kilowatt-hours (kWh). Learn more about how the EIA measures electricity.

Which state produces the most solar energy?

Texas produced the most solar electricity in August 2026, generating 10,346 thousand MWh. California ranked second with 9,978 thousand MWh. August 2026 was only the second month in the EIA’s monthly all-solar data that Texas generated more solar electricity than California.

Why is solar becoming more popular?

Solar energy has become more popular as photovoltaic system costs have declined, technology has improved, and policies such as tax credits and net metering have encouraged adoption. The EIA explains that these factors have helped expand photovoltaic use in the United States.

How do solar panels work?

Solar panels contain photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter converts that electricity into alternating current (AC), the type used in most homes. A grid-connected solar system can draw electricity from the power grid when the panels are not producing enough power.