US 태양광 발전은 올해 21%, 2027년에 18% 성장할 것으로 예상되며, 데이터센터와 제조업이 전체 전력 수요를 2% 상승시킬 전망이다.

Solar energy production will grow by double digits this year and next as data center development and manufacturing expansion drive higher U.S. electricity consumption, according to the Energy Information Administration's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook released Wednesday.

U.S. electricity consumption will grow 2% in 2026 and another 2% in 2027, reaching record levels. Total electricity sales are forecast to reach 4,211 billion kWh in 2027. The commercial sector will lead this growth, with electricity sales increasing 3.3% in 2026 and 2.7% in 2027, "accounting for 63% and 56% of the increase in electricity sales in those years," according to EIA.

On the supply side, electricity generation is expected to grow in line with consumption. Natural gas generation will increase 2% in 2026 and 1% in 2027, while coal generation declines 8% and 6%, respectively. "As wind and utility-scale solar capacity continues to be added to the grid, we expect solar generation to grow by 21% in 2026 and by 18% in 2027, while wind generation grows 7% in 2026 and 5% in 2027," EIA said.

Geographically, the PJM Interconnection market accounts for nearly 45% of total U.S. generation growth expected, "with natural gas generation driving the increase in 2026 and natural gas, coal, and wind generation driving the increase in 2027." Solar growth is concentrated in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator markets. EIA forecasts added solar generation of 18 billion kWh in ERCOT and 13 billion kWh in MISO this year, followed by 20 billion kWh in ERCOT and 11 billion kWh in MISO in 2027.

Despite increased coal exports compared with 2025, domestic demand for coal from the electric power sector will decline significantly. "Although coal exports in our forecast increase compared with 2025, we forecast domestic demand for coal from the electric power sector will decline by 8% in 2026 and 6% in 2027, as natural gas and renewables generation in the Northwest and MISO regions increases," EIA said.