Solar energy has emerged as the fastest-growing source of electricity in the United States, according to a review by the SUN DAY Campaign of newly released data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). In the first two-thirds of 2024, the output from all renewable sources increased by nearly 9%, with solar surpassing wind for the second consecutive month.
The EIA's latest “Electric Power Monthly” report, covering data through August 31, 2024, reveals that solar generation—comprising both utility-scale and estimated small-scale (rooftop) systems—increased by 26.0% compared to the same period in 2023. Utility-scale solar thermal and photovoltaic installations expanded by 30.3%, while small-scale solar grew by 16.5%, together accounting for 7.1% of total U.S. electricity generation.
In August, utility-scale solar production surged by 35.0% year-on-year, while small-scale solar rose by 12.5%. Combined, solar generation accounted for 7.5% of total U.S. electrical output, outpacing wind generation, which contributed 6.6%. Notably, small-scale solar systems, defined as those under 1 MW, produced nearly 30% of total solar generation and supplied 2% of the overall U.S. electricity supply.
Meanwhile, wind energy has shown signs of recovery, with output increasing by 7.1% in the first eight months of 2024 compared to the prior year. Together, wind and solar sources provided 17.2% of the nation's electrical generation during this period.
The broader renewable energy mix—which includes hydropower, biomass, and geothermal—experienced an 8.7% growth, contributing to 24.4% of total electricity production. In August, renewable generation alone rose by 9.2% year-on-year, accounting for 20.3% of total U.S. electricity output.
The report highlights that during the first eight months of 2024, wind power outperformed hydropower by 76.7%, while solar exceeded hydropower generation by 23.4%. In August, solar and wind generated 51.7% and 34.3% more electricity than hydropower, respectively.
Additionally, the combination of wind and solar generated 15.8% more electricity than coal and approached the share of nuclear power generation (17.2% vs. 17.7%). Solar's output surpassed that of wind by 12.9% in August, marking the second consecutive month in which solar led among renewable energy sources.
As renewable energy continues to solidify its position, it is now recognized as the second-largest source of electricity generation in the U.S., following natural gas. Ken Bossong, executive director of the SUN DAY Campaign, stated, “For the moment at least, solar has taken the lead among renewable energy sources for the nation's electrical generation. Combined with wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, renewable energy was the fastest growing source of electrical production during the first two-thirds of 2024.”
