Clean energy statistics 2024
Clean energy, sourced from renewable resources, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional energy production. These resources (including sunlight, wind, water, biomass and geothermal heat) are naturally abundant and continuously replenished. They can be harnessed to generate electricity, provide heating and cooling, and as fuel for transportation.
The transition to clean energy will yield significant economic benefits and enhance energy security by mitigating the effects of oil and natural gas price volatility on American households, promoting social equity and justice and fostering job growth in new technologies and emerging industries. In particular, the decarbonization of the power sector is anticipated to mitigate climate change impacts, including reducing the severity of extreme weather events, heat-related illnesses and fatalities, and losses in agricultural production.
Clean energy is increasingly playing a significant role in U.S. electricity generation. Renewable sources constituted over 75% of all newly added power capacity in 2023.
Jump to insightIn 2023, renewable sources accounted for 21% of utility-scale electricity production in the U.S., with wind energy emerging as the primary contributor.
Jump to insightLast year in the U.S., clean energy sources generated enough electricity to power approximately 69 million American homes.
Jump to insightAccording to the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, the top three performing states in 2022 were California, Massachusetts and New York.
Jump to insightBy 2028, renewable energy is projected to generate more than 42% of the world's electricity.
Jump to insightClean energy statistics
The growth of clean energy is driven by the interaction of several factors, including improvements in the reliability of renewable energy sources, continuous reductions in the costs of clean energy technologies, increased bankability of projects, more favorable renewable energy policies and targets, public acceptance of clean technologies, and a shared commitment for a future free of carbon emissions.
In the U.S., renewable energy has experienced rapid growth as a source of electricity generation, with its share rising from 13% to 21% over the past decade.
In 2023, the clean power industry significantly expanded, adding a total of 33.8 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale renewable energy projects, which marked a 12.5% increase over the annual record set in 2021.
Last year, renewable sources accounted for more than 75% of all new power brought online, underscoring the importance of clean energy in the U.S. power sector.
How much energy used is renewable?
Renewable energy is increasingly becoming a major contributor to electric power generation in the U.S. In 2023, utility-scale electricity facilities produced approximately 4,178 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. Of this, about 60% came from fossil fuels, 19% from nuclear energy and 21% from renewable sources.
How many people use renewable energy?
In 2023, renewable energy sources generated 262 GW of electricity for the U.S. grid, providing sufficient energy to power about 69 million American homes. In addition, clean energy is accessible in 93% of congressional districts and spans across all 50 states.
Homeowners and renters can actively participate in the clean energy transition. Options include purchasing green power, using clean energy for heating and cooling, and installing systems to generate electricity from renewable sources.
Residential clean energy options
To maximize savings on electricity bills, homeowners should prioritize making their homes energy-efficient before considering the installation of renewable energy systems. This includes enhancing insulation, air sealing and upgrading appliances to reduce energy consumption.
Once these energy-efficiency improvements are in place, homeowners can explore various options for integrating renewable energy systems. Both federal and state incentives are available to help offset the upfront costs associated with installing these systems. Residential clean energy solutions include:
- Geothermal heat pumps: These systems efficiently heat and cool homes by utilizing the ground for heat exchange, offering higher efficiencies compared to air-source heat pumps.
- Wind energy systems: Small residential wind turbines can generate electricity and be combined with energy storage systems for backup power. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the property must have at least 1 acre of land and be located in an area with an average annual wind speed of at least 10 miles per hour.
- Solar energy systems: Solar technology offers versatile solutions. Solar water heaters can meet up to 50% of a family's hot water needs, while solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can generate electricity to power homes. Grid-connected PV systems allow homeowners to offset their electricity usage and earn credits through net metering. Purchasing a solar system outright provides eligibility for tax credits and incentives and typically yields the highest return on investment.
Top states for renewable energy
The State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), evaluates states across six key policy areas related to renewable energy. These areas include utility programs, transportation, building energy codes, state initiatives, industrial energy efficiency and appliance standards. In 2022, the scorecard broadened its scope to emphasize equitable energy efficiency policies aimed at alleviating energy burdens for low-income and disadvantaged households as well as historically underserved communities. The top-performing states on the 2022 scorecard were California, Massachusetts and New York.
Renewable energy capacity by year
The International Energy Agency predicts a significant transformation in the global power mix in the next few years, with solar PV and wind energy driving 95% of the expansion in renewable resources. Several key milestones for renewable energy capacity are expected globally by 2028:
- By the end of 2024, the combined electricity generation from wind and solar PV is anticipated to exceed that of hydropower.
- In 2025, renewable energy sources are projected to surpass coal, becoming the largest source of electricity generation.
- Wind energy and solar PV are each expected to surpass nuclear in electricity generation by 2025 and 2026, respectively.
- By 2028, renewable energy sources are forecast to produce over 42% of electricity worldwide.
What is the future of renewable energy?
In the U.S., recent legislation, such as the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), is poised to accelerate the transition to clean energy sources. According to a 2023 analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), by the year 2030, the IRA is projected to decrease economy-wide carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 43% when compared to 2005 levels. Specifically within the electricity sector, the IRA aims to achieve substantial emissions reductions by 2030 — between 49% and 83% below 2005 levels.
Moreover, renewable energy offers numerous economic, environmental and social benefits, including:
- Environmental benefits: Clean energy significantly reduces carbon emissions and air pollution, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment.
- Economic growth: The production and manufacturing of renewable energy technologies help drive job creation.
- Cost savings: Renewable energy can lead to lower energy costs over time.
- Energy independence: Utilizing domestic renewable energy sources increases a country’s energy independence by reducing its reliance on imported fuels.
- Increased grid reliability: Renewable energy enhances the reliability, security and resilience of the power grid.
- Improved accessibility: This sector can expand access to energy to remote, coastal or isolated communities, providing them with more consistent and reliable energy solutions.
Thus, clean energy presents a viable and sustainable solution to many of the energy challenges the world faces today and in the future.
FAQ
What country consumes the most clean energy?
In 2023, China led global renewable energy consumption (reaching 27.6 exajoules). The U.S. ranked second in renewable energy consumption, while both countries also topped the charts as the largest consumers of primary energy overall.
What is the largest source of clean energy in the U.S.?
In 2023, wind emerged as the largest clean energy source for utility-scale electricity generation, accounting for 10.2% of the total energy mix (comprised of both renewable and nonrenewable sources).
What state is No. 1 for clean energy?
California was the leading state for clean energy in 2022, based on the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard released by the ACEEE.
How many states have 100% clean energy goals?
Currently, 24 states have set goals to achieve 100% clean energy, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The target years for these goals range from 2033 to 2050.
References
- ”Renewable Energy.” Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Evaluated July 12, 2024.Link Here
- ”On The Path to 100% Clean Electricity.” U.S. Department of Energy. Evaluated July 12, 2024.Link Here
- ”New Report: Record Year for U.S. Clean Power Installations in 2023.” American Clean Power Association. Evaluated July 12, 2024.Link Here
- ”What is U.S. electricity generation by energy source?” U.S. Energy Information Administration. Evaluated July 12, 2024.Link Here
- ”The State Energy Efficiency Scorecard.” American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Evaluated July 13, 2024.Link Here
- ”Renewables 2023 Executive Summary.” International Energy Agency. Evaluated July 13, 2024.Link Here
- Renné, D. “The Opportunities and Challenges for 100% Renewable Energy.” Sustainable Energy Development and Innovation. Evaluated July 13, 2024.Link Here
- ”Be Part of a Clean Energy Future.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Evaluated July 13, 2024.Link Here
- “Residential Renewable Energy.” U.S. Department of Energy. Evaluated July 13, 2024.Link Here
- “Electricity Sector Emissions Impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Evaluated July 13, 2024.Link Here
- Fernández, L. “Leading countries by renewable energy consumption worldwide in 2023.” Statista. Evaluated July 14, 2024.Link Here
- “Table of 100% Clean Energy States.” Clean Energy States Alliance. Evaluated July 14, 2024.Link Here
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