Global electricity generation from solar farms is on track to eclipse nuclear output for the first time this summer, marking a pivotal moment in the rise of solar energy as a cornerstone of the global power mix.
Although solar farms only generate during daylight hours—leaving their annual output behind that of wind, nuclear, and hydro—summer’s intense sunlight is reshaping the energy hierarchy. During peak production months, solar output now outpaces nearly all other clean sources, and since last year, has even surpassed global wind output during the northern hemisphere’s sunniest stretch.
This summer, solar is poised to temporarily leap ahead of nuclear as well, leaving hydropower as the only major clean energy source yet to be overtaken, even briefly, during solar’s seasonal surge.
A Decade of Explosive Growth
Over the past ten years, solar power has surged ahead in global capacity expansion, outpacing every other power source by a wide margin. According to data from energy think tank Ember, utility-scale solar capacity reached 1,866 gigawatts (GW) by 2024—ten times the global capacity in 2014.
This growth dwarfs even the impressive gains in wind power, which expanded 3.2 times over the same period. Other energy sources—fossil fuels and nuclear included—posted far more modest capacity increases.
By 2024, solar had become the third-largest power source by capacity worldwide, trailing only coal (2,174GW) and natural gas (2,055GW), and pulling ahead of hydropower (1,283GW) and wind (1,132GW). While solar’s intermittency limits its total annual output, its influence during key months is undeniable.
Record Output, Rising Influence
Solar generation is not only growing—it’s accelerating. Since 2020, utility-scale solar output has climbed at an average annual rate of 25%. In early 2025, it jumped even higher, with output in the first quarter up 34% year-on-year, driven by capacity additions in major regions.
If this pace holds, solar output could exceed 260 terawatt hours (TWh) monthly during June, July, and August—eclipsing the nuclear fleet’s all-time monthly high of just under 252TWh and well above the 2024 nuclear monthly average of 223TWh.
After summer, as northern daylight wanes, solar output will recede below nuclear. But the precedent will be set: solar will have produced more electricity than nuclear during peak season for the first time in history.
Grid Challenges and Strategic Shifts
For utilities, this solar surge is both a technical challenge and a strategic opportunity. The variability of solar output—abundant by day, absent by night—demands agile balancing across diverse power sources. This volatility is pushing utilities to modernize grid systems, enhance forecasting, and invest in smarter energy management tools.
Battery storage is emerging as a critical ally. Falling costs are accelerating deployment of large-scale batteries, enabling excess solar to be stored during the day and released during evening demand peaks. This “solar-plus-storage” model reduces reliance on fossil fuels, protects against fuel price shocks, and supports emissions targets.
With solar generation surging, some utilities may begin to throttle back nuclear production during midday solar peaks, ramping it back up at night. This coordinated dance between clean energy sources could help displace more coal and gas from the power mix and lay the groundwork for deeper decarbonization.
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