When you picture the future of American power, do you envision towering wind turbines off the coasts or rows of solar panels glinting in the desert sun? That might not be too far off. According to the latest data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), 2024 proved a banner year for renewable energy. In fact, solar alone accounted for over 80% of new capacity—making this the 16th straight month where solar reigned as the largest source of U.S. power additions.
Yet this surge in clean energy is only part of the picture. Despite the positive numbers, experts warn that climate goals demand an even steeper curve. Supply chain issues, permitting obstacles, and rising interest rates still threaten to slow progress. Meanwhile, major federal legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law promise billions for wind, solar, and EV manufacturing—raising hopes for continued expansion.
New Records and Surging Renewables
In 2024, more than 90% of all new U.S. electrical generating capacity came from solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, or biomass. This marks a dramatic shift from decades past when fossil fuels dominated. The big standout was solar, which soared to 81% of new capacity—about 31 gigawatts (GW). December alone saw nearly 4.4 GW of solar come online.
Wind contributed an additional 3.1 GW throughout the year, plus modest amounts of hydropower, biomass, and geothermal. Meanwhile, new natural gas projects added only around 2.4 GW, dwarfed by solar’s near-31 GW. Indeed, the U.S. nuclear sector netted just one major addition: the 1,100 MW Vogtle-4 reactor in Georgia.
Solar’s Long Winning Streak
16 consecutive months with solar as the largest chunk of new capacity.
Over 80% of added U.S. power in 2024 was solar-based.
Even factoring in capacity factors, solar’s generation potential outstrips new nuclear and natural gas combined.
SUN DAY campaign director Ken Bossong calls the trend “remarkable,” underscoring how solar panels keep getting cheaper and deployment more routine. While fossil fuels remain part of the grid, “the new growth is in renewables,” says Bossong.
EV Sales and Domestic Manufacturing
The transformation goes beyond electricity, extending into transportation. In 2024, electric vehicle (EV) sales hit a record 1.2 million—7.6% of all vehicle sales. The final quarter was especially strong, with EVs exceeding 8% of total new sales. Meanwhile, big names like Ford, GM, and Tesla ramped up U.S. manufacturing.
This synergy helps decarbonize one of the largest emitting sectors: passenger cars and trucks. With more federal tax incentives rolling out under the IRA, experts predict EV sales could jump to 10% or more in 2025. Even as some question the pace of EV uptake, the “slowdown” is mostly about the speed of growth, not growth itself.
Policy Tailwinds: IRA, Infrastructure Law, and CHIPS Act
A cluster of major legislative wins is fueling the clean energy boom:
- Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): Offers billions in tax credits for solar, wind, batteries, EVs, and domestic manufacturing.
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL): Allocates $7.5 billion for EV charging corridors and invests heavily in grid modernization.
- CHIPs Act: Aims to bolster semiconductor and tech manufacturing—helpful for advanced battery and solar supply chains.
Though only in effect for about a year, these policies have spurred a wave of planned manufacturing expansions, especially in solar panel factories and battery facilities. According to the trade group American Clean Power, more than 100 clean energy manufacturing projects have been announced since mid-2022.
“The future looks bright for domestic production,” says Leah Stokes, an energy policy professor. “But it’s critical to maintain momentum; we can’t let supply chain or permitting bottlenecks stall what the policies set in motion.”
The Role of Transmission
To realize its full clean energy potential, the U.S. must modernize and expand transmission lines. Renewables often spring up far from population hubs, requiring new lines to carry electricity across states. Yet developers face long permitting waits—sometimes over a decade—to secure rights-of-way and environmental clearances.
FERC is finalizing its interconnection rule to expedite grid connections, and the Department of Energy (DOE) is identifying lines of “national interest” for accelerated approvals. But progress remains slow. Ten large transmission lines have started construction since 2021, enabling an estimated 20 GW of new power generation, but much more is needed.
Why Transmission Matters
Connects rural wind or solar farms to city demand centers.
Offers grid resilience, letting regions share electricity surpluses.
Speeds up resource integration, cutting wait times for new projects.
Think of it like highways: no matter how many cars (i.e., wind turbines or solar panels) you build, you need enough roads to reach your destination.
Are Renewables Scaling Fast Enough?
Despite record deployments, analyses show the U.S. must nearly double annual renewable additions to meet a net-zero power sector by 2035. That timeline aligns with national climate targets (a 50-52% cut in greenhouse gases from 2005 levels by 2030). The key obstacles:
Permitting: Without streamlined processes, new wind farms or solar fields can languish in bureaucracy.
Supply Chains: Battery and panel components rely on raw materials like lithium or polysilicon, sometimes subject to global shortages or trade friction.
Rising Interest Rates: Financing large-scale projects has grown costlier, squeezing profit margins.
Local Opposition: Some communities resist big wind or solar developments, complicating siting.
The Future of Solar and Wind
FERC’s Forecast
FERC anticipates net “high probability” additions of 91.6 GW of solar and 23.6 GW of wind by the end of 2027, overshadowing any new nuclear or coal. If realized, solar alone could supply nearly 16% of U.S. installed capacity by 2028—overtaking wind and possibly even coal.
Moreover, if rooftop and other small-scale solar get counted, renewables’ share climbs higher. Indeed, small-scale arrays make up about 30% of total U.S. solar capacity, often missing from official data.
Green Hydrogen on the Horizon
The sector also eyes green hydrogen for heavy industry and transportation. Though early in development, hydrogen could store energy for use when wind or sun are down—acting like a battery for the grid.
Analysts compare hydrogen’s potential cost drops to the precipitous declines of solar and wind. Should that hold, we could see rapid adoption in hard-to-decarbonize areas like shipping, aviation, or steelmaking.
The Drive for Equitable Transition
Even with optimism swirling, the transition must remain equitable. Millions of new jobs in manufacturing, construction, and EV supply chains are coming, but fair labor practices and worker training are key. Meanwhile, marginalized communities historically hosting polluting plants deserve a seat at the table as new facilities break ground.
In the words of Radhika Fox, the EPA’s Water Chief, “We have to ensure every community has clean energy benefits—lower power bills, cleaner air, local jobs.”
What You Can Do
- Push for Local Renewables: Ask your utility or city council about expanding wind and solar in your region.
- Support Transmission: Advocate for faster permitting processes that balance environmental stewardship with urgent grid needs.
- Electrify Your Home: Switching to heat pumps or induction stoves can slash your carbon footprint.
- Stay Engaged: Follow local or national nonprofits pushing for robust climate policies.
A Tipping Point?
2024 might be remembered as the year renewable energy firmly took center stage in the U.S. power mix. Solar smashing capacity records, wind powering entire Midwest towns, and EVs racing into mainstream acceptance—these are no longer fringe stories.
But the path is neither smooth nor guaranteed. Overcoming permit delays, supply constraints, and cost spikes requires sustained effort from policymakers, industries, and the public. On the upside, each new megawatt of solar or wind paves the road for cheaper, cleaner power—and sets in motion a chain reaction that can usher in a new era of energy abundance.
So next time you charge your EV or see a solar panel glitter on a neighbor’s roof, remember: these aren’t just technologies but glimpses of an evolving American dream—one where the best energy is not only affordable but also a boon for the planet.
Spread the news that renewables are already winning. Urge your city officials to fast-track wind and solar permits, demand robust federal support for grid upgrades, and consider an EV for your next car. Because behind these record numbers lie real opportunities to shape an era where clean energy fuels both our economy and our planet’s future.
Header image By NASA