The main trends of solar energy from the beginning of the year to the present (YTD) are:

EIA stated in its latest monthly "Electricity Monthly Report" (data as of December 31, 2024) that the total utility scale and "estimated" small-scale (such as rooftop) solar energy increased by 26.9% in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

The scale of solar thermal and photovoltaic power generation in public utilities increased by 32.0%, while small-scale solar photovoltaic power generation increased by 15.3%. Overall, solar power accounted for nearly 7.0% (6.91%) of the total electricity generation in the United States for the year.

In December alone, the scale of solar power generation by public utilities increased by 42.0% compared to December 2023.

Small scale solar energy (i.e. systems with a capacity of less than 1 megawatt) accounts for 27.9% of all solar power generation and will provide 1.9% of the United States' electricity supply by 2024. [1]

In fact, the electricity generated by small-scale solar photovoltaic power generation is almost twice that of utility scale biomass power generation, and more than five times that of utility scale geothermal power generation or petroleum liquid and coke mixture power generation.

Key milestones for renewable energy structure in 2024:

In 2024, the power generation of wind farms in China will increase by 7.7% compared to a year ago. Wind energy remains the largest source of renewable energy generation, accounting for 10.3% of the country's total electricity generation.

By 2024, the combination of wind and solar energy will provide over 17.2% of the country's electricity generation.

The combination of all renewable energy sources (i.e. wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal) will provide 24.2% of the total electricity production in the United States by 2024, compared to 23.2% a year ago.

From January to December this year, renewable energy generation increased by 9.6% compared to the same period last year, almost three times the growth rate of natural gas generation (3.3%) and more than ten times the growth rate of nuclear power generation (0.9%).

In December alone, renewable energy generation increased by 10.1% compared to December 2023.

Other noteworthy developments:

By 2024, wind power generation will exceed hydropower by 87.2%, while solar power generation will exceed hydropower by 25.2%. [2]

In addition, this year's wind and solar power generation is 15.9% higher than coal, approaching the share of nuclear energy in total power generation (17.2% vs. 17.8%).

The renewable energy structure has consolidated its position as the second largest source of electricity generation after natural gas.

Renewable energy currently provides a quarter of the country's electricity, "said Ken Boson, Executive Director of SUN DAY Campaign. Therefore, the reckless actions of the Trump administration to disrupt wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources will have serious negative impacts on the country's power supply and economy