U.S. Solar's Second-Quarter Kickoffs Point to Sector's Strengths

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Written by Will Ploch, Assistant Editor-in-Chief for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

Despite a sharp decline in installations in 2025, solar is set to continue playing a significant role in U.S. power generation, with several big-ticket projects set to begin construction in the current quarter.

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Outlook Still Sunny for U.S.

Amid unpredictable trade policies and diminishing federal support, the U.S. solar power-generation sector endured a rocky 2025. But developers still see plenty of domestic opportunities on the horizon. Industrial Info is tracking more than $24 billion worth of active and proposed solar-generation projects across the U.S. that are set to begin construction in the second quarter, more than $10 billion of which is attributed to projects Industrial Info believes have a mid-to-high likelihood (70% or more) of kicking off as scheduled.

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reported last week that solar developers installed 26.5 gigawatts (GW) of power-generation capacity across the U.S. in 2025, which marks a 22% drop from 2024. Despite this decline, solar accounted for more new capacity installations than any other resource, including wind (5.76 MW) and natural gas (4.18 MW).

In a separate report last month, the Solar Energies Industry Association (SEIA) said solar accounted for 54% of all new electricity-generating capacity added to the U.S. grid in 2025: "Combined, solar and [battery energy] storage made up 79% of new capacity in this timeframe."

RWE AG is among the top investors in second-quarter kickoffs, led by its Blue Rock Solar Plant in Buckingham, Virginia. The project, which has been under development since 2023, is designed to generate 100 MW from more than 223,000 photovoltaic (PV) modules. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Plant and Project databases can learn more about Blue Rock--including key components, investment values and necessary equipment--from a plant profile and a detailed project report.

Virginia is among the U.S. states most aggressively pursuing solar power. Legislators recently approved a bill to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires power plants to buy allowances for their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and have expanded access to "shared solar," allowing more Virginians to subscribe to a small-scale solar project off-site.

Dominion Energy, the largest utility in Virginia, is preparing to begin construction on its Kings Creek Solar Plant in Williamsburg, which is designed to generate 20 MW from more than 41,000 PV panels provided by First Solar Incorporated. Subscribers can learn from a plant profile and a detailed project report.

By the Numbers

• More than $24 billion: Total value of U.S. solar projects set to kick off in the second quarter, according to Industrial Info
• 22%: Decline in solar-generation capacity across the U.S., from 2024 to 2025
• 54%: Solar's share of all new power-generation capacity added to the U.S. grid in 2025

Lone Star State Shines Brightest

Texas alone accounts for nearly $7 billion of the more than $24 billion in second-quarter U.S. solar-generation kickoffs, led by energy investment company Panamint Capital's Big Rooter West Solar Plant in Bremond. The 403-MW solar farm will include a 201-MW battery energy-storage system (BESS) unit. Panamint said it will utilize existing infrastructure and real estate from the Twin Oaks Power Station, which is owned by Major Oak Power LLC.

Subscribers can learn more about Big Rooter West from a plant profile and a detailed project report, and can learn more about Twin Oaks from a plant profile.

Other projects set to kick off around Texas before the end of June include Doral Group's Cold Creek Solar Plant in Eldorado, which comprises a 470-MW power plant and a 170-MW BESS unit, and Ferrovial S.A.'s Milam Solar Plant near Rockdale, which would generate 250 MW. Subscribers can read detailed reports on the Cold Creek and Milam projects.

"It's clear that solar will continue to be the dominant source of new power capacity in the United States, even as gas generation (from both new and existing sources) continues to grow," the SEIA said in its report. "Strong demand growth, combined with escalating costs of new gas plants, will allow solar to remain competitive, even without tax credits."

Subscribers can click here for a full list of reports for active and proposed solar-generation projects across the U.S. that are set to begin construction in the second quarter.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Project and Plant databases can click here for a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and click here for a full list of related plant profiles.

Key Takeaways

• Solar accounted for more new capacity installations in 2025 than any other resource.
• Virginia is among the U.S. states adopting policies beneficial to solar power generation.
• Texas accounts for nearly $7 billion of the more than $24 billion in second-quarter U.S. solar-generation kickoffs.

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About IIR News Intelligence
IIR News Intelligence is a trusted source of news for the industrial process and energy markets, powered by Industrial Info Resources' Global Market Intelligence (GMI).

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR News Intelligence) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).