Fact Check: "New solar installations surged 388.03% in the first five months of 2025!"
What We Know
The claim that "new solar installations surged 388.03% in the first five months of 2025" lacks direct support from credible sources. According to the Quarterly Solar Industry Update, the U.S. solar market is expected to see significant growth, with projections indicating that 26 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity will be added in 2025. However, this report does not provide specific figures for the first five months of 2025, nor does it confirm the percentage increase claimed.
The New solar plants expected to support most U.S. electric generation report indicates that renewable power generation, including solar, is expected to increase by 12% in 2025 compared to 2024. This suggests growth but does not support the specific claim of a 388.03% increase.
Additionally, the Winter 2025 Solar Industry Update notes a 37% increase in solar capacity over the first nine months of 2023, but again, this does not correlate with the dramatic percentage increase claimed for 2025.
Analysis
The claim of a 388.03% surge in solar installations appears to be exaggerated when compared to the available data. The most reliable sources, such as the Quarterly Solar Industry Update and the New solar plants expected to support most U.S. electric generation, indicate growth in solar capacity but do not approach the figure presented in the claim.
The Winter 2025 Solar Industry Update provides insights into the solar market's performance but does not reference any specific percentage increase for the first five months of 2025. The lack of corroborating data from multiple reputable sources raises questions about the validity of the claim.
Moreover, the sources cited are from established organizations like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which are generally reliable. However, the absence of specific data supporting such a high percentage increase suggests that the claim may be based on misinterpretation or misrepresentation of the data.
Conclusion
Verdict: Needs Research
The claim that "new solar installations surged 388.03% in the first five months of 2025" is not supported by the available evidence. While there are indications of growth in the solar sector, the specific percentage cited is not substantiated by credible sources. Further research is needed to obtain accurate figures and context regarding solar installations in 2025.