Climate love
Image of U.S. Energy Information Administration

U.S. Energy Information Administration

Climate love

U.S. Solar Electricity Generation to Exceed Hydroelectricity in 2024


The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that solar energy will surpass hydropower as a source of electricity in 2024. This is due to the continued growth of both utility-scale and small-scale solar facilities in the US. In 2023, developers plan to add 54.5 gigawatts of utility-scale electric-generating capacity to the US power grid, which would bring the total installed solar capacity to 54% of all electricity-generating capacity. Installed solar capacity has grown at an average rate of 44% per year from 2009 to 2022, while installed hydropower electric capacity has grown at an average rate of less than 1% per year during the same time period. In addition, the EIA predicts that while global oil production and supply may increase next year, gasoline consumption per person in the US is set to decline to the lowest rate in 20 years. This is due to a number of factors, including the fact that Americans are driving less, newer gasoline-fueled vehicles are more efficient, and there are more electric vehicles on the road. Additionally, high gasoline prices and high inflation are discouraging people from driving. US coal production is also predicted to decline in 2024, due to the rise of other energy sources, such as solar and wind. Finally, electricity consumption is expected to increase in 2024, especially in homes, as summer temperatures are expected to be hotter than this year and winter temperatures are expected to be colder. Experts are expecting 2023 to be the hottest year on record.



Do you agree?

34 more agrees trigger contact with the recipient

  • Joseph Githinji

    62 w

    A great milestone, solar is a golden resource that produce clean energy and having it utilized means a lot.

    8
    • Munene Mugambi

      62 w

      While I support the increased use of solar power, hydropower is also a great power source and is also clean energy

      3
      • johnte ndeto

        62 w

        Very encouraging to have improvements in clean energy production sector

        9
        • Rotich Kim

          62 w

          The transition is of great significant it will help carb the rate of emissions

          9
          • Grace Njeri

            60 w

            @rotich_kim This will come with vast benefits in matter climate.

            1

          Join us at the Davos Hub!

          Broadcasts

          Re-watch all our COP29 broadcasts

          We need to stop methane and #BuyMoreTime