US green power growth to hit another record in 2026, despite Trump, says report

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) reported that US clean energy installations will hit a record 60 gigawatts in 2026, a 20% jump from 50 GW in 2025. This growth is driven primarily by solar, battery storage, and wind projects, many of which began development before President Trump returned to office in January 2025. The trade group's forecast aligns with top-end projections from consulting firms like BloombergNEF, S&P Global, and Wood Mackenzie.

Despite the Trump administration's efforts to halt or slow renewable energy expansion—including ending lucrative federal tax incentives and introducing permitting delays—clean energy remains the fastest and cheapest source of new power capacity. The ACP's assessment underscores the sector's momentum, with large-scale projects already in advanced stages of construction. This trend suggests that market forces, rather than federal policy, are driving the transition, as utilities and corporations continue to prioritize low-cost, low-carbon power generation.