A recent analysis by the SUN DAY Campaign of newly released data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals that solar power continues its robust expansion, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing source of electricity in the United States.
According to the latest “Electric Power Monthly” report from the EIA, which includes data up to April 30, 2024, the combined output from utility-scale and small-scale solar increased by 25.4% in the first four months of the year compared to the same period in 2023. This growth was driven by a 19.3% increase in small-scale solar and a substantial 28.4% rise in utility-scale solar, outpacing all other energy sources.
“Solar accounted for 6.0% of total US electrical generation in the first third of the year, with April reaching an all-time high of 8.4%,” noted the SUN DAY Campaign's executive director Ken Bossong, reflecting on the data.
The report also highlighted positive trends in wind and hydropower generation. Hydropower output rose by 5.5% year-over-year in the first four months of 2024, while wind generation showed a slight increase of 0.7% for the same period. However, wind generation surged by 10.7% in April 2024 compared to April 2023, showcasing a strong monthly performance.
Overall, renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, contributed 26.2% of total US electrical generation in the first four months of 2024. In April alone, renewables achieved a milestone by supplying 31.0% of the nation's electricity for the first time in history.
The combined output from wind and solar alone accounted for 23.45% of electrical generation in April, setting a new record for renewable energy's contribution to the grid.
Looking ahead, Bossong emphasized, “EIA's latest data capture only part of the year's solar potential, with more records likely to be surpassed as we approach the sunniest months.”
Renewables continue to narrow the gap with natural gas, which maintained a 38.5% share of US electricity generation in April, down from 40.1% earlier in the year. Wind and solar combined also exceeded coal and nuclear power outputs in April, underlining their growing significance in the nation's energy mix.
