In the third quarter of 2025, about 20% of planned US solar power capacity experienced delays—down from 25% a year earlier, signaling improving project timelines, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Solar remains the fastest-growing source of new electricity in the country, led by large-scale photovoltaic (PV) projects. Despite frequent short-term delays, cancellations remain rare, affecting less than 1% of planned capacity. In 2024, developers added a record 31 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale solar—34% more total capacity—even though initial plans projected 36 GW. Most current delays occur during the final construction or testing phases and last only a month or two. Looking ahead, developers plan to add 32 GW of new solar capacity between October 2025 and September 2026, including about 5 GW from projects that have postponed their start dates. The EIA writes:
In the third quarter of 2025, solar projects representing about 20% of planned capacity reported a delay, a decrease from 25% in the same period in 2024, based on data compiled from multiple Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory reports.
Solar power is the fastest-growing source of new electric generating capacity in the United States, driven by large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects built by electric utilities and independent power producers. Delays in bringing these solar projects into operation have been trending down in recent months.
Despite the relatively high number of projects reporting delays in 2024, that year was a record year for U.S. solar capacity additions. Power plant developers added 31 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale solar PV generating capacity in 2024, which increased total U.S. utility-scale solar capacity by 34%. Delays in solar project schedules tend to be relatively short in duration, and reports of delays are more common than cancellations: less than 1% of planned solar capacity is entirely cancelled in a typical month.
Developers of new power-generating capacity report their project’s initial planned operational date on our Annual Electric Generator Report (EIA-860) survey. Beginning 12 months before a project’s planned online date, we ask developers to provide updates on the status and schedule of the project in our monthly update to that annual survey, the Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory.
Because survey respondents may not anticipate the occurrence or duration of delays, ultimate capacity additions tend to be less than the expected amount that developers report to us at the beginning of the year. In January 2024, developers reported plans to bring more than 36 GW of solar capacity online through December 2024, or 5 GW more than the ultimate 31 GW installed.
Along with updates to timelines, we request that developers also categorize the stage of development: planning, permitting, construction, and testing. Much of the reported delayed capacity occurs at projects that are in the late construction or testing phases just before they come online. These delays are typically only for a month or two.
In our most recent monthly inventory of power plants, developers reported plans to bring 32 GW of solar capacity online in the next 12 months (October 2025 through September 2026). About 5 GW of that capacity is from solar projects that delayed their expected online date compared with what they had previously reported.
