Newly released data by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) underscores the remarkable ascent of solar power as the nation’s fastest-growing source of electricity, marking a decade-long streak of expansion. According to the latest monthly “Electric Power Monthly” report, encompassing data through December 31, 2023, solar energy, including both utility-scale and small-scale installations like rooftop solar, surged by 16.1% last year.
Small-Scale Solar Shines Brightest
Of particular note is the robust growth of small-scale solar, which outpaced all other energy sources with a remarkable 20.1% increase. The acceleration of momentum is evident in the surge that occurred in December, as small-scale solar saw an astounding 21.4% increase, contributing to a 30.7% total growth in solar during that month alone.
Solar’s Milestone in US Electricity Generation
At the end of 2023, solar energy accounted for almost five percent (5.6%) of all electricity generated in the United States. Small-scale solar, constituting almost a third (30.9%) of all solar generation, played a pivotal role, providing over 1.7% of the nation’s electricity supply throughout the year.
Solar Power Closing in on Hydropower
Solar generation now stands neck and neck with hydropower, each accounting for 5.6% of the total, with solar expected to surpass hydropower imminently, positioning itself as the second-largest renewable energy source, trailing only behind wind power.
Renewables Surpass Coal
Furthermore, the combined contribution of solar and wind power, at 15.6%, is closing in on coal, which stands at 15.9%, suggesting an imminent overtaking in the coming months. In a broader context, all non-hydro renewables collectively outpaced coal in 2023, marking a significant shift in the nation’s energy landscape.
Renewable Energy’s Ascendancy
Renewable energy sources, including biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, and wind, collectively outperformed nuclear power plants by nearly a quarter (24.7%), with prospects for widening the gap in 2024. Despite a marginal increase in nuclear-generated electricity, renewables exhibited a stronger growth trajectory, further solidifying their position as the second-largest source of electrical generation after natural gas, which commands 42.4% of the market share.
Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign, emphasized the pivotal role of solar power in this energy transition, noting that renewables, led by solar, have once again expanded their share of the nation’s electrical generation. He underscored their increasing significance, surpassing both nuclear power and coal, and poised for further advancements in the year ahead.
The SUN DAY Campaign, a non-profit research and educational organization dedicated to advocating for a swift transition to sustainable energy technologies, reaffirms its commitment to promoting renewables as a viable and cost-effective alternative to traditional fossil fuels and nuclear power, offering a tangible solution to climate change.
