The latest US EIA and FERC data reflect a decade of explosive solar and wind growth – here’s how it breaks down.
The SUN DAY Campaign reviewed EIA’s latest monthly “Electric Power Monthly” report (with electrical generation data through June 30, 2024) and compared it to EIA’s data for June 30, 2019 and for June 30, 2014. It also examined FERC’s latest monthly “Energy Infrastructure Update” report (with installed generating capacity data through June 30, 2024) and likewise compared it to FERC’s data for June 30, 2019 and for June 30, 2014.
The installed US generating capacity mix of all renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, and wind) now totals 389 gigawatts (GW). That’s over 50% greater than five years ago (258.58 GW) and more than double the renewable energy capacity that existed a decade ago (190.26 GW). Most of the growth is because of new solar and wind capacity.
Similarly, electrical generation by renewables has shown strong growth. Ten years ago, renewables provided 14.28% of the nation’s electrical generation. Five years later, it had grown to 20.11% and today stands at 26.01%. Again, most of the increase is due to wind and solar.
For the first half of 2024, renewables, including small-scale solar, provided 549,339 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electrical generation. That’s almost 40% more than the amount renewables generated in the first half of 2019 (399,586 GWh) and nearly double the output reported for the first half of 2014 (287,136 GWh).
Over the past decade, wind has become a leader
Ten years ago, hydropower boasted about 62% more capacity than wind (99.64 GW vs. 61.45 GW) and generated 40% more electricity (140,659 GWh vs. 99,739 GWh).
Five years later, the two were nearly equal in both capacity (hydro: 100.73 GW vs. wind: 98.86 GW) and electrical generation (hydro: 153,790 GWh vs. wind: 154,338 GWh).
Now, however, wind has definitively overtaken hydropower with 152.64 GW of installed capacity compared to that of hydro (100.88 GW) as well as 247,435 GWh of actual electrical output during the first six months of 2024 compared to 126,139 GWh from hydro.
As of mid-2024, wind accounted for 11.72% of total US electrical generation. Five years prior, it was 7.77%, and a decade ago, its share (4.96%) was less than half of today’s figure.
Wind’s share of total installed generating capacity as of June 30, 2024, was 11.75% – a significant increase from its 8.25% share five years earlier and 5.26% a decade ago.
Solar is the fastest-growing source of new capacity and generation
In the past decade, solar has ballooned from a fraction of a percent of both capacity and generation to become the second-largest renewable in both categories.
At the end of June 2014, utility-scale solar provided a mere 9.25 GW (0.75%) of total installed US generating capacity. Generation by utility-scale solar (8,535 GWh) was only 0.42% of the US total and EIA wasn’t even reporting generation by distributed, small-scale (i.e., <1 MW) systems yet.
However, five years later, solar capacity (39.13 GW) accounted for 3.27% of total utility-scale capacity. Actual generation by utility-scale facilities in the first half of 2019 had risen more than fourfold to 36,042 GWh (1.81% of the total) with small-scale solar contributing an additional 17,520 GWh (0.88%).
By the middle of 2024, installed solar capacity had risen to 8.99% of total utility-scale capacity. Utility-scale systems generated 102,614 GWh (4.86%) and small-scale systems added another 42,449 GWh (2.01%).
This rate of solar and wind growth has defied expectations. Three years ago, FERC had projected that installed utility-scale solar capacity would reach 105.04 GW by mid-year 2024. Solar’s actual capacity today is 11.2% more than FERC’s earlier forecast. In addition, wind’s installed capacity is now 2.4% higher than FERC had anticipated.
Hydropower and geothermal ebbs and flows, biomass drops
Over the past decade, the installed capacity of hydropower has edged up very slowly from 99.64 GW in June 2014 to 100.73 GW five years later and 100.88 GW today. Because the installed capacity of all energy sources combined has grown by over 8% during the past 10 years, hydropower’s share of capacity has gradually declined from 8.57% in 2014 to 8.41% in 2019, to 7.77% in 2024.
Electrical generation by US hydropower facilities has ebbed and flowed from year to year. For example, it was 140,65 GWh in the first half of 2014 (7% of the total) and then 153,790 GWh in mid-2019 (7.74%) and is now 126,139 GWh (5.97%) for the first six months of 2024.
Electrical generation by biomass, as well as its share of installed generating capacity, has been on a slow decline for the past 10 years. FERC data indicate that utility-scale biomass capacity dropped from 16.05 GW (1.37% of the total) in mid-2014 to 16.02 GW (1.34%) in mid-2019 to 14.54 GW (1.12%) in mid-2024. Correspondingly, actual electrical generation fell from 30,095 GWh (1.50%) during the first half of 2014 to 29,520 GWh (1.49%) five years later and then to 23,062 GWh (1.09%) this year.
The smallest renewable energy source – geothermal – has shown a pattern similar to that of hydropower. Its installed capacity has risen slightly from 3.87 GW in 2014 to 4.14 GW today, while its share of the US total has consistently hovered around 0.32-0.33%. Actual generation has ebbed and flowed over the past decade providing 8,108 GWh (0.40%) in the first six months of 2014, then 8,376 GWh (0.42%) in the first half of 2019, and now 7,640 GWh (0.36%).
“Notwithstanding minimal changes in the contributions by hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, renewable energy sources have doubled their share of US generating capacity and electrical output over the past 10 years thanks to explosive growth by both wind and solar,” noted the SUN DAY Campaign’s executive director Ken Bossong. “If the trends of the preceding decade continue, renewable energy sources could account for 40% or more of capacity and actual generation by 2035.”
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On today’s high-powered episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got Honda fuel cell manager David Perzynski here to talk about Honda’s forty year history developing hydrogen powertrains, and the role Honda sees for HFCEVs in a battery dominated world.
In the course of the conversation we talk about several hydrogen articles posted in 2024, as well as some Honda projects related to CES. You’ll be able to read more about those, below. Enjoy!
New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news!
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Sixthreezero’s wide range of electric bike models includes some fairly out-there models, but the company’s new four-wheeled electric bike really charts a new direction in the industry. Take a look at the new ANYterrain Stabilized 4-wheel Electric Bike.
It’s a mouthful of a name, but the ANYterrain Stabilized 4-wheel Electric Bike hauls more than just a bunch of extra words. The bike is rated to carry up to 350 lb (159 kg), and the 750W motor ensures it has the power to do so. With speeds of up to 20 mph (32 km/h), the quad bike is just as fast as most Class 1 and 2 e-bikes.
But the real game changer here is the design, offering four-wheeled stability that riders can’t get from a conventional three-wheeled trike.
Not only do four wheels provide better stability with a wider footprint, but the steering on the bike uses leaning geometry to take turns more naturally, helping riders feel even more stable.
With 20″ wheels in the rear and 16″ wheels in the front, the quad bike keeps a fairly low center of gravity. All four wheels use 4″ fat tires for better offroad riding and more comfortable shock absorption compared to narrow tires, and the rear wheels even feature a differential to better apply the motor’s power to the ground.
A twist throttle makes it easy to roll on that power, and a D/R switch on the bars lets riders put it in reverse for cases where they need a little help wiggling around in tight spaces. Pedaling backward from a stop can also engage the reverse. At 120 lbs (54 kg), this isn’t the type of bike you can just pick up and move around the garage without a little help so that reverse feature will likely come in handy.
A 48V and 20Ah battery offers 960Wh of capacity, which the company says translates into a range of up to 50 miles (80 km).
The battery is housed under a cargo basket in the rear, though a bench seat can be swapped for the basket, allowing riders to carry a passenger with them.
Electrek’s Take
This certainly won’t be a mass market type of e-bike, but I can see a real use case for neighborhood riding and local errands, especially for folks who don’t feel stable on a bicycle or even a trike.
Despite trikes offering great stability when going straight, some people can feel uncomfortable making turns on a trike, especially at higher speeds, because they can sometimes feel tippy under certain scenarios. This quad bike can still tip if you take a turn sharp enough, but the wider stance combined with the leaning steering means riders will even more stable than on a trike.
And since this will likely be used more by older riders, the reverse is an important feature for letting folks park the bike easily without dismounting and dragging it around.
There could be some legal hurdles in some areas that define “bicycles” as having either two or three wheels, but I’m guessing most cops aren’t jumping at the opportunity to ticket grandma for riding her quad bike on the local rails to trails network.
I love seeing more options like this, and I commend Sixthreezero for providing such interesting options to add to the market.
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Who said you had to break the bank to drive an electric vehicle? Several EV lease deals are available this December for under $300 or even $200 per month, but the savings may not last long. Here are some of the best EVs to consider leasing right now.
Electric vehicles accounted for nearly 9% of all vehicle sales in the US in the third quarter, its highest level on record.
“The growth is being fueled in part by incentives and discounts,” According to Stephanie Valdez Streaty, director of Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. The other part is the influx of more affordable models hitting the market.
In addition to the $7,500 federal tax credit, some discounts on EV models are reaching $10,000 to upwards of $20,000.
The massive incentives slash monthly payment prices, in many cases making them even more affordable than comparable gas-powered cars. According to a new Experian report, leasing accounted for 45% of all new EV transactions in the third quarter. That’s up significantly from 25% last year and just 9.5% in Q3 2022.
Including incentives, the average monthly payment for leasing an EV was $198 less than if you financed a new model.
With Trump’s transition team reportedly planning to “kill off” the $7,500 EV tax credit, the savings could largely disappear. As buyers rush to take advantage of the discounts, EV sales are expected to surge this month.
EV lease deals for under $300 a month this December
To close out the year strong and make room for new models, several companies are offering significant discounts on popular electric models, including Kia, Hyundai, Honda, GM, Ford, Stellantis, and more.
According to online automotive research firm CarsDirect, several EV models are even available for lease for under $300 or even $200 per month right now. You can view offers in your area at the bottom.
Lease From
Term (months)
Due at Signing
Effective rate per month (including upfront fees)
2025 Nissan LEAF
$129
36
$2,529
$199
2025 Kia Niro EV
$149
24
$3,999
$315
2024 Kia EV6
$159
24
$3,849
$319
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5
$159
24
$3,999
$326
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6
$159
24
$3,999
$326
2024 Nissan Ariya
$169
24
$6,219
$428
2024 Fiat 500e
$179
42
$2,979
$250
2024 Toyota bZ4X
$219
39
$2,999
$296
2024 Honda Prologue
$229
36
$1,299
$265
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning
$230
36
$6,206
$402
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E
$251
36
$5,440
$402
2024 Subaru Solterra
$279
36
$279
$287
Tesla Model 3
$299
36
$2,999
$382
Tesla Model Y
$299
36
$2,999
$382
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
$299
24
$3,169
$431
Best EV lease deals for under $300 a month in December 2024
The 2025 Kia Niro EV remains one of the most affordable electric cars on the market, with leases starting at as low as $149 for 24 months. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective rate is just $315 per month. That’s even cheaper than the plug-in hybrid model at $414 per month (including $3,499 due at signing).
Kia also offers a $199 per month for 36 months EV lease deal. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective cost is just $310 per month.
The EV6, Kia’s dedicated EV based on the same platform as Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, is listed with lease prices as low as $159 for 24 months. With $3,849 due at signing, the 2024 Kia EV6 Light Long Range RWD trim costs just $319 per month to lease.
Speaking of the IONIQ 5, Hyundai’s electric SUV is also available to lease this month for under $200. Through its “Hyundai Getaway Sales Event,” Hyundai is offering a $159 for 36 months lease offer on the IONIQ 5. Hyundai’s big savings come as the upgraded 2025 model is arriving at dealers.
You can also snag the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 for the same $159 per month. With $3,999 due at signing the effective cost is just $326 per month.
Nissan’s Ariya electric SUV is another top choice, with lease prices starting at as low as $99 per month. However, that’s only available in Colorado. In other parts of the country, like New York, the 2024 Nissan Ariya is listed at $169 for 24 months. With $6,219 upfront, the effective rate is $428 per month.
Fiat’s compact 500e EV is available to lease for $179 for 42 months this December. With $2,999 due at signing, you can lease the 2024 500e INSPI(RED) trim for just $250 per month.
You can score Fiat’s EV for even cheaper in some areas. For example, one dealership in Colorado is offering a $0 for 27 month lease deal with $0 down, making the 500e essentially free.
Honda’s Prologue was the third best-selling EV in the US last month as sales continue surging this year. In a year end promo, Honda made the electric SUV even more attractive with a 0% APR offer and up to $6,000 off.
Although not under $200, you may want to consider a few other EV lease deals this month. For example, Honda is offering its electric Prologue at just $259 per month for 36 months. With $2,999 due upfront, you can drive off in Honda’s electric SUV for just $342 per month. That’s less than a Honda Civic at $279 per month despite costing nearly twice as much.
At just $299 for 24 months, the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV is also worth a look. With $3,169 due at signing, you can lease the electric Equinox for just $431 per month.
Tesla is offering three free months of Supercharging and Full Self-Driving in its year end deals. However, you must take delivery by December 31, 2024.
Ford is another company making a strong end of year push with big savings on electric models. Through its new “Power Promise”, all EV buyers get a free Level 2 home charger and Ford will cover the cost of standard installation.
Ready to take advantage of the savings? We can help you find the best EV lease deals in your area. Check out our links below to view offers on popular electric models in your area.
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