Graph of wind and solar power generation

Are solar and wind the future of energy?

Solar and wind account for more of our nation’s energy mix than ever before. To study America’s growing renewable electricity capacity and generation, Climate Central analyzed historical data on solar and wind energy over a 10-year period (2014 to 2023).

Will solar and wind energy lead the growth in US power generation?

Solar and wind energy will lead the growth in U.S. power generation for at least the next two years, according to EIA estimates. This report uses data from the EIA to analyze solar and wind capacity and generation over the past decade (2014 to 2023) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

What percentage of global electricity is generated by wind & solar?

Independent climate think tank Ember has published a new report showing that wind and solar power accounted for 10 percent of global electricity generation in the first six months of 2020. That figure represents an impressive leap on the situation five years ago when it accounted for just five percent.

How much power will solar and wind make up by 2035?

By 2035, solar and wind could make up a majority (more than 50%) of state energy capacity in 46 of the 48 contiguous states (Figure 8). In 12 states, wind and solar could make up over 80% of electricity capacity by 2035 by utilizing current policies.

Where do solar and wind power data come from?

All national and state-level data come from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Utility-scale solar and wind summer capacity values for 2014-2022 are as reported in EIA’s Historical State Data for each year.

Will solar and wind make up the majority of electricity capacity?

Projected solar and wind proportion of electricity capacity under current (optimistic) policy scenarios. Solar and wind (combined) are expected to make up a majority of electricity capacity in most U.S. states by 2035 under optimistic current policy scenarios.