Renewable energy sources are driving the growth of electricity generation capacity in the United States, accounting for nearly 90% of all new capacity added in the first nine months of 2024. According to recent data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), solar energy alone contributed 78% of the new capacity during this period.

In a notable trend, September marked the thirteenth consecutive month in which solar energy was the leading source of new electricity generation capacity. The month saw the installation of 1,786 megawatts (MW) of solar power, equivalent to the capacity of a large coal-fired power plant. Over the first three quarters of the year, solar added 18,635 MW, while wind contributed 2,626 MW. Other renewable resources, such as hydropower and biomass, also made significant contributions, with 213 MW and 6 MW added, respectively.

Together, these renewable sources accounted for 89.6% of new generating capacity added in 2024, with solar alone representing a substantial 77.7% of all new generation. September's data also revealed that solar comprised 75.7% of new capacity installed during the month, with wind and hydropower contributing smaller shares.

This surge in renewable energy marks a significant shift in the U.S. power sector. Solar and wind now represent over 21% of the country’s total generating capacity, and when combined with other renewable sources, they account for 30.3% of total U.S. capacity. The continuing dominance of solar and wind suggests that clean energy is becoming a central pillar in the nation’s efforts to decarbonize the power grid.