Half of new U.S. electricity came from renewable sources in 2014
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently released a detailed report about the state of renewable energy in the United States, based on 2014 data.
According to the report, more than half U.S. electricity capacity additions in 2014 came from renewable sources.
Renewables exceeded 50% of 2014 US capacity installation – This & more in new NREL Data Book https://t.co/GQjwtXgZa4 pic.twitter.com/SH8WWwmA4M
— NREL (@NREL) December 10, 2015
Renewable energy on the rise
The report also noted big increases specifically in solar — the total installed capacity of solar electricity in the U.S. in 2014 increased by more than 54 percent.
Other key highlights from the NREL report:
- In 2014, U.S. renewable electricity reached 15.5 percent of total installed capacity
- U.S. renewable electricity reached 13.5 percent of total electricity generation in 2014.
- IN 2014, installed renewable electricity capacity exceeded 179 gigawatts (GW), and generated 554 terawatt-hours (TWh).
- U.S. wind electricity generation grew by 8.3 percent in 2014.
- In 2014, wind electricity capacity in the U.S increased by 7.8 percent.
Global findings
Renewable energy flashed impressive numbers on a worldwide basis, as well.
Renewable electricity capacity on a global level now represents 28.5 percent of total worldwide electricity capacity, NREL said. And new investments in renewables reached $310 billion, an increase of 16 percent from 2013 to 2014.
Source → National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)Globally, new investments in renewables in 2014 grew by 16% from 2013 — to $310,000,000,000 https://t.co/xyUgd1JCEI pic.twitter.com/YB1OyZnwZ5
— Climate Reality (@ClimateReality) December 17, 2015