Best Renewable Energy Stocks to Buy in 2026

If you are searching for the best renewable energy stocks to buy in 2026, you are part of a massive market migration. As clean energy rapidly claims a larger share of the world’s power mix, the investor mindset has moved from cautious curiosity to outright bullish conviction. Renewable energy sector was once considered a specialised sector is now a core portfolio pillar, offering a combination of explosive growth and defensive diversification.

The shift has been swift. Just a few years ago, climate change sat on the periphery of corporate strategy. Today, companies representing roughly 40% of the global stock market have committed to slashing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Many of these businesses are generating billions by supplying the very climate solutions the market now demands.

What Are The Best Renewable Energy Stocks To Invest In?

Choosing the best renewable energy stock depends on whether you are seeking defensive stability, reliable income or higher-growth exposure. Increasingly, the strongest portfolios blend all three, balancing risk while capturing upside across the clean energy value chain.

For defensive positioning, NextEra Energy remains the sector’s heavyweight, combining a regulated utility with the world’s largest wind and solar power development platform to provide steady earnings and dividend growth.

In contrast, those prioritising consistent income from renewable investments often gravitate toward Brookfield Renewable Partners, Clearway Energy or HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital. These green energy companies own or finance operating assets supported by long-term contracts, translating into predictable cash distributions.

At the growth end of the spectrum, manufacturers and equipment specialists dominate. First Solar and Nextpower have become focal points for investors targeting higher returns, while more specialised names such as Ormat Technologies and Greencoat UK Wind appeal to those prioritising resilience over rapid upside.

Are Solar Stocks a Good Investment?

After a period of volatility, solar stocks mounted a decisive comeback in 2025. The Invesco Solar ETF — whose top holdings include First Solar, Sunrun, Enphase Energy and Nextpower — surged 48% as policy anxieties faded and institutional capital rotated back into the green energy sector. The performance dramatically outpaced the S&P 500, signalling that solar stocks are leading the broader clean energy recovery.

“That strength caught many investors off guard, particularly given the policy uncertainty that surrounded the sector earlier in the year,” says Ryan Hasson, an equities trader and financial markets commentator. “As clarity improved, capital flowed back into the space, and several leading solar names posted triple-digit gains.”

Top Renewable Energy Stocks in 2026

Here are some of the top renewable energy stocks to invest in 2026:

First Solar (FSLR): The Manufacturing Titan

First Solar remains a standout as one of the most established names in global solar manufacturing. With a contracted backlog of roughly 64 GW extending toward 2030, the US-based company benefits from exceptional demand visibility. Its shares climbed 35.2% in 2025, significantly outperforming the broader market.

Peter Krull, partner and director at Earth Equity Advisors, suggests the rally is far from over as First Solar prepares to expand its empire. “The company has a year-long backlog and is sold out through 2026,” Krull told Business Insider.

Nextpower (NXT): Global Leader in Solar Tracking

California-based Nextpower, a specialist in advanced solar tracking systems, emerged as one of the sector’s most explosive performers. Its 2025 performance was staggering, with shares surging 138%. This momentum is backed by strong fundamentals. Institutional inflows reached USD 2.27 billion over the past year, far exceeding outflows.

Analysts expect revenue to grow at a CAGR of 14% through 2028, with the company maintaining a debt-free status and a backlog of nearly USD 5 billion at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2026.

“Nextpower generated revenue of roughly [USD] 900 million in the quarter, so there’s over a year of work to be done,” says Reuben Gregg Brewer, a Motley Fool stock market analyst. “Or, to put that another way, there’s huge visibility for the company’s revenue stream.”

Infrastructure Giants: Powering the AI Boom With Clean Energy

A new catalyst is driving renewable demand: the rise of artificial intelligence. Hyperscale data centres require massive, 24/7 power, accelerating landmark deals between technology giants and clean energy providers.

Clearway Energy (CWEN): One of the Best Renewable Energy Stocks for 2026

Clearway Energy is a primary beneficiary of this trend. The company owns over 13 GW of capacity, including 10.3 GW across storage, solar and wind. Most of its assets are secured by long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), including three recently signed with Google. That stability allowed Clearway to report Q3 2025 earnings of USD 2 per share, which beat consensus estimates by a remarkable 525%.

NextEra Energy (NEE): Big Scale, Bigger Demand

As one of the largest renewable energy generators in the US, NextEra Energy remains a cornerstone holding for investors seeking exposure to clean power at scale. Its vast wind, solar and battery portfolio — backed by a multi-year pipeline adding tens of gigawatts — gives the company exceptional growth visibility.

That growth is now being turbocharged by AI. Exploding electricity demand from cloud and data centres has driven new long-term clean power deals with Google Cloud and Meta. The surge was strong enough for NextEra to raise its 2026 adjusted earnings outlook to USD 3.92-4.02 per share, up from USD 3.63-4.

Brookfield Renewable Partners (BEP): Scale, Stability and Growth

Brookfield Renewable Partners operates at a scale few competitors can match. With an investment-grade balance sheet, the Canadian company plans to deploy up to USD 9 billion over the next five years. Roughly 90% of its cash flows are contracted for an average of 13 years, creating a compelling combination of yield, stability and embedded growth.

Brookfield’s recent multi-gigawatt renewable energy agreement with Microsoft highlights how critical these assets have become to the global tech infrastructure.

Beyond Wind and Solar: Geothermal and Grid Finance

While solar and wind power dominate headlines, sophisticated investors are increasingly looking at baseload renewable energy sources and specialised financing to round out their portfolios.

Ormat Technologies (ORA): A Geothermal Superpower Among Clean Energy Stocks

Ormat Technologies offers a differentiated exposure through geothermal power — a renewable energy that provides a consistent baseload to complement intermittent sources. Shareholders have seen returns of 66% over the past year as the American company expands its energy storage business and moves toward doubling its capacity by 2028.

Greencoat UK Wind (UKW): Anchoring the UK’s Energy Transition

Greencoat UK Wind owns 49 wind assets across the United Kingdom, reducing exposure to localised weather variability. With a market capitalisation nearing GBP 2.5 billion, the fund is well positioned to benefit from supportive domestic policy. The UK government recently awarded offshore wind farms contracts totalling 8.4 GW of new capacity, reinforcing long-term growth prospects.

HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital (HASI): Financing the Clean Energy Buildout

Meanwhile, US-based HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital connects investors directly to the clean energy transition through infrastructure finance. HASI reported over USD 15 billion in managed assets in late 2025, delivering a 36.78% total return over the past year and raising its dividend for the sixth consecutive year.

Green Energy Stocks Enter a Market-driven Growth Phase in 2026

Renewable energy has clearly entered a new phase. Market forces now drive the sector, not just climate policy or subsidies: AI and data centres are pushing electricity demand higher, transport is electrifying at speed and utilities are racing to modernise ageing grids.

As 2026 unfolds, clean energy stocks with contract-backed revenues, proven profitability and technological advantages stand ready to lead the next leg of the green bull market.