The U.S. saw its level of wind and solar power production spike in the past decade, according to a new report from the Environment America Research and Policy Center and Frontier Group. The Renewables on the Rise 2024 report noted that solar, wind and geothermal power usage increased in all 50 states between 2014 and 2023. 

“The growth of renewable energy in America has exceeded even the sunniest expectations,” said Johanna Neumann, senior director of Environment America Research & Policy Center’s Campaign for 100 percent Renewable Energy. “When we replace fossil fuels with wind turbines and solar panels and curb wasteful uses of energy, we build a world where the planet and people can thrive.” 

According to new data, approximately 18 percent of national retail electricity sales in 2023 came from wind, solar, and geothermal, compared to just 6 percent in 2014. 

Texas, California, Iowa, Oklahoma and Kansas were the top five states for total renewable energy generation. According to the report, 15 states produced 30 percent or more of the electricity they used from renewables in 2023, up from 2 states in 2014.

Meanwhile, the U.S. had 15.5 gigawatts of battery energy storage at the end of 2023. This is 97 times as much as in 2014 and 72 percent more than at the end of 2022. Experts believe this volume is helping to support the use of more renewable energy and keep the lights on during extreme weather and times of grid stress.

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia had a 33-fold increase in solar from 2014 to 2023, producing enough electricity in 2023 to power more than 4.6 million average U.S. households. 

“With states like Texas, Oklahoma and Iowa leading the way, repowering America with clean energy in 2024 is a fully nationwide project,” said Tony Dutzik, associate director and senior policy analyst for Frontier Group. “Solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and battery storage are benefiting people in all 50 states, providing the building blocks of a clean energy system free from dirty fossil fuels.”

In 2023, the U.S. produced enough solar energy to power 22 million homes, 8 times higher than in 2014. Additionally, the U.S. produced enough wind energy to power nearly 39 million typical homes in 2023, 2.3 times as much as in 2014.

Electric vehicle usage also saw a sharp increase, reaching 3.3 million vehicles by the end of 2023. Furthermore, the number of electric vehicle charging ports rose to more than 176,000.

“We have the keys to a future powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Now the question is, will our leaders grab the wheel and put the pedal to the metal for a cleaner, greener future? For the sake of our health and our planet, I hope they do,” said Neumann.