Petit Parisien - U.S. Solar Power Generation Hits Record High in 2023 Amid Decade of Growth

The United States produced more solar electricity in 2023 than in any year on record, extending a decade-long trajectory of expansion in renewable energy infrastructure. According to a new report by Climate Central, the nation generated 238,121 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity from solar sources last year. This volume of power is sufficient to meet the annual needs of more than 22 million average American households.

The analysis, titled "A Decade of Growth in Solar and Wind Power," examined data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia between 2014 and 2023. The findings indicate that solar generation in 2023 was more than eight times the amount produced a decade earlier in 2014. This growth is attributed to rapidly declining technology costs, financial incentives such as those provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, and shifting energy mixes away from fossil fuels.

California maintained its position as the leading state in total solar generation in 2023. However, the composition of that generation highlighted a significant shift toward distributed energy resources. Electricity produced by small-scale solar operations, which typically includes residential rooftop systems and community solar projects, accounted for approximately 41% of California’s total solar-generated electricity last year.

Texas followed California in total volume but demonstrated the most rapid expansion among all states. Comparing data from 2022 to 2023, Texas recorded the highest year-over-year growth in electricity generated from solar power. Florida and North Carolina rounded out the top four states for solar generation.

The report distinguishes between two primary categories of solar infrastructure: utility-scale power plants and small-scale installations with less than 1 megawatt (MW) of capacity. By the end of 2023, the combined estimated total capacity for both categories reached 139 gigawatts (GW). This represents an increase of more than 26 GW, or 23%, from the previous year.

Utility-scale solar has been the primary driver of this capacity expansion. From 2014 to 2023, utility-scale solar capacity grew by a factor of more than eight. In 2023, these large installations comprised approximately two-thirds of all U.S. solar capacity and accounted for around 8% of the nation’s total electricity capacity from all utility-scale sources, including renewables, nuclear power, and fossil fuels. This is a substantial increase from 2014, when utility-scale solar made up only about 1% of total utility-scale capacity.

Small-scale solar capacity also expanded significantly, though at a slower pace than its utility-scale counterpart. In 2023, small-scale solar reached a capacity of 48 GW, marking a 20% increase from 2022 and more than six times the amount recorded in 2014. The EIA estimates that this segment could grow to 55 GW by the end of 2024. About 31% of all solar power generated in the U.S. in 2023 came from these small-scale installations.

The states that led in total generation in 2023 were also among the top performers in long-term capacity growth when comparing 2014 to 2023 figures. California, Texas, Florida, and North Carolina consistently ranked high in both absolute volume and percentage increases over the decade.

The energy sector, which encompasses electricity production, heating, and transportation, remains the largest source of heat-trapping emissions both globally and within the United States. Producing carbon-free electricity from renewable sources is identified as a critical component in meeting national and global climate targets. The EIA forecasts that the majority of new energy capacity added to the U.S. grid will come from renewable sources like solar and wind, further displacing carbon-producing fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

This infrastructure growth coincides with strong public support for renewable energy initiatives. Recent surveys indicate that a majority of Americans favor increased investment in solar and wind power and stricter regulations on carbon pollution. According to the 2023 Yale Climate Opinion Maps, 79% of U.S. adults support funding research into renewable energy, while 74% would support regulating carbon pollution.

Climate Central’s report aims to provide a comprehensive view of state-level trends in both utility and small-scale solar development. The organization also offers tools such as the WeatherPower platform, which allows users to forecast solar and wind generation for specific states, countries, or congressional districts. Additionally, the EIA provides detailed data through its Renewable Electricity Infrastructure and Resources Dashboard and the U.S. Energy Atlas.

The analysis comes amid broader efforts to clarify public understanding of renewable energy technologies. A separate April 2024 report from Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, titled "Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles," addresses common misinformation regarding these sectors. The data underscores a structural shift in the American energy landscape, driven by technological advancement, policy support, and changing consumer preferences.

P.Breton--PP