Half of new U.S. electricity came from renewable sources in 2014

Solar energy panels and power transmission towers

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.

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)