According to an analysis by the SUN DAY Campaign of data just released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), U.S. electrical generating capacity by renewable energy sources (i.e., wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass) has now – for the first time – surpassed that of coal.
Renewable energy’s share of total available installed U.S. generating capacity is up to 21.56%. By comparison, coal’s share dropped to 21.55% (down from 23.04% a year ago).
Further, if FERC’s projections prove accurate, in three years, renewable energy sources will provide nearly one-quarter (i.e., 24.15%) of the nation’s total available installed generating capacity with wind alone accounting for over a tenth (10.01%) and solar at 4.32%. The balance will be provided by hydropower (8.16%), biomass (1.33%), and geothermal (0.33%).
