[philipkglass]

Hydroelectric generation varies a lot annually due to naturally varying precipitation. In the 1990s, hydroelectric generation reached a maximum in 1997 with 356 TWh (this was also the all-time peak) and a minimum in 1992 with 253 TWh:

https://www.eia.gov/kids/energy-sources/hydropower/

(This page is "for kids" but it includes a good plot of hydroelectric output since 1950.)

This is just from natural variability, since the US didn't build any new hydro generating facilities in the 1990s.

Here's the EIA report that has generating statistics for 2025. It has "monthly" in the name but you can find full-year stats for 2025 in table ES1.B:

https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/current_month/februa...

In 2025, hydroelectric power generation was 247 terawatt hours. Utility scale solar generation was 295 terawatt hours. Estimated small scale (e.g. rooftop) solar generation was 93 terawatt hours. Combined, that would bring solar generation to 383 terawatt hours for the year.

Solar generation is now higher than hydroelectric generation ever was in the US, but it's also true that hydroelectric generation is lower in recent years. The Ars Technica article focused on the utility scale solar generation. Counting that portion alone, solar generation has yet to surpass hydro's 1997 record of 356 TWh.