Main facts about US renewable energy growth in first three-quarters – EQ

In Short : In the first three quarters of 2024, U.S. renewable energy saw strong growth. Solar generation rose 30.1%, while total renewable output (excluding hydro) increased by 12.2%. Wind energy also grew by 6.6%. Solar accounted for 59% of new capacity additions, with Texas and California leading. This reflects a significant shift toward cleaner energy sources across the U.S.

In Detail : The report from FERC has highlighted main facts about the renewable energy growth in the United States in the first three-quarters of 2024.

Renewables accounted for 89.6 percent of new U.S. electrical generating capacity in the first three quarters of 2024.

Solar was the largest contributor, representing 77.7 percent of the new capacity during this period.

September marked the 13th consecutive month with solar as the leading source of new capacity.

Solar alone constituted 75.7 percent of new capacity in September, followed by wind and hydropower.

Renewables now represent 30.3 percent of total U.S. utility-scale generating capacity.

Solar and wind combined account for more than 21 percent, with solar at 9.4 percent and wind at 11.8 percent.

Solar’s share (9.4 percent) now surpasses nuclear (7.9 percent) and hydropower (7.7 percent).

New solar capacity in 2024 is projected to generate more electricity than new nuclear or natural gas capacity.

Solar is expected to surpass coal and wind to become the second-largest U.S. generating capacity by 2027, behind natural gas.

FERC forecasts 118,706 MW of net renewable additions by 2027, with solar contributing 80 percent of this growth.

Renewables’ total installed capacity, including small-scale solar, could exceed natural gas within three years.

Coal, oil, and natural gas capacities are expected to decrease by 2027, while renewables continue their rapid ascent.

Small-scale solar, not fully captured in FERC’s data, could bring the combined renewable share to over 40 percent by 2027.