US renewables’ total installed capacity likely to exceed natural gas within 3 years
Renewable energy is now over 30% of total US utility-scale electrical generating capacity and on track to reach 37% by the end of 2027, according to data in two new end-of-the-year reports just released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) and reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign.
In addition, renewables – i.e., solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower – provided almost 25% of the US’s electrical generation during the first 10 months of 2024.
Further, October was the 14th month in a row in which solar was the largest source of new capacity, putting it on track to become the US’s second-largest source of capacity, behind natural gas, in three years or sooner.
Renewables were over 90% of new generating capacity through October 2024
In its latest monthly “Energy Infrastructure Update” (with data through October 31, 2024), FERC says 41 “units” of solar totaling 1,970 megawatts (MW) were placed into service in October along with three units of wind (174 MW). Combined, they accounted for 99.9% of all new generating capacity added during the month. Natural gas provided the balance – a mere 3 MW.
During the first 10 months of 2024, solar and wind added 21,425 MW and 2,799 MW, respectively. Combined with 213 MW of hydropower and 6 MW of biomass, renewables were almost 90.5% of capacity added. The balance consisted of the 1,100 Vogtle-4 nuclear reactor in Georgia plus 1,456 MW of gas, 11 MW of oil, and 8 MW of “other.”
Solar was 92% of new capacity in October and 79% during the first 10 months of 2024
Solar accounted for 79.3% of all new utility-scale generation placed into service in the first 10 months of 2024. In October alone, solar comprised 91.8% of all new capacity added.
New wind capacity YTD accounted for most of the balance – 10.4% through October.
Solar capacity additions through the end of October were 80.5% higher than during the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, new natural gas capacity was less than one-sixth (15.3%) of that added last year.
Solar has now been the largest source of new generating capacity for 14 months straight, from September 2023 to October 2024. For a majority of those months, wind took second place.
Solar + wind are now over 21% of US generating capacity
The combined capacities of just solar and wind now constitute 21.2% of the US’s total available installed utility-scale generating capacity.
However, roughly one-third of US solar capacity is in the form of small-scale (e.g., rooftop) systems that is not reflected in FERC’s data. Including that additional solar capacity would bring the share provided by solar + wind closer to a quarter of the country’s total.
Solar’s share of US generating capacity advances it to fourth place
The latest capacity additions have brought solar’s share of total available installed utility-scale generating capacity up to 9.5%, further expanding its lead over hydropower (7.7%). Wind is currently at 11.8%. With the inclusion of biomass (1.1%) and geothermal (0.3%), renewables now stand at 30.37% of total US utility-scale generating capacity.
Installed utility-scale solar has now moved into fourth place – behind natural gas (43.3%), coal (15.5%) and wind – for its share of generating capacity after previously surpassing that of nuclear power (7.9%).
Solar will soon become the second-largest source of US generating capacity
FERC reports that net “high probability” additions of solar between October 2024 and September 2027 have risen to 93,803 MW – an amount more than four times the forecast net “high probability” additions for wind (23,261 MW), the second fastest-growing resource.
FERC also foresees growth for hydropower (1,316 MW), biomass (164 MW), and geothermal (90 MW). On the other hand, there is no new nuclear capacity in FERC’s three-year forecast, while coal, oil, and natural gas are projected to shrink by 19,863 MW, 2,244 MW, and 90 MW, respectively.
If FERC’s current “high probability” additions materialize, by October 1, 2027, solar will account for almost one-sixth (15.5%) of the nation’s installed utility-scale generating capacity. That would be greater than either coal (13.0%) or wind (12.6%) and substantially more than either nuclear power (7.4%) or hydropower (7.3%). The installed capacity of utility-scale solar would thus rise to second place – behind only natural gas (40.3%).
Meanwhile, the mix of all renewables would account for 36.7% of total available installed utility-scale generating capacity – rapidly approaching that of natural gas – with solar and wind constituting more than three-quarters (76.5%) of the installed utility-scale renewable energy capacity.
The combined capacities of all renewables, including small-scale solar, seem likely to exceed natural gas within three years
As noted, FERC’s data do not account for the capacity of small-scale solar systems. If that is factored in, within three years, total US solar capacity (i.e., small-scale plus utility-scale) is likely to approach – and very possibly surpass – 300 GW. In turn, the mix of all renewables would then exceed 40% of total installed capacity while the share of natural gas would drop to about 37%.
Moreover, FERC reports that there may actually be as much as 213,902 MW of net new solar additions in the current three-year pipeline in addition to 66,094 MW of new wind, 7,123 MW of new hydropower, 235 MW of new biomass, and 199 MW of new geothermal. In addition, new solar capacity has regularly exceeded FERC’s forecasts. Thus, renewables’ share could be even greater by early autumn 2027.
Solar is still the fastest-growing source of US electrical generation
In its latest monthly “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through October 31, 2024), EIA says the combination of utility-scale and “estimated” small-scale (e.g., rooftop) solar increased by 26.3% in the first 10 months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Utility-scale solar thermal and photovoltaic expanded by 30.8% during the 10-month period (and by 37.8% in October alone), while small-scale solar PV increased by 15.8%, thereby making solar once again the fastest growing source of US electrical generation.
For perspective, between January and October inclusive, natural gas grew by 4.1% and nuclear power by just 0.7% while coal contracted by 4.0%.
Small-scale solar (i.e., systems <1 MW) accounted for 27.9% of all solar generation and provided 2% of US electricity supply in the first 10 months of this year.
Together, utility-scale and small-scale solar were 7.2% of total US electrical generation for the 10-month period and 7.7% in October alone.
Renewables provided 24% of US electrical generation in first 10 months of 2024
Wind and solar provided 17.2% of US electrical generation during the first 10 months of 2024.
Between January and October inclusive, electrical generation by the mix of all renewables (solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal) grew by 9.0% year-over-year and provided 24.2% of total production. That share rose to 25.5% in October alone. By comparison, renewables accounted for 22.9% of electrical output in the first 10 months of 2023 and 23.1% in October last year.
The SUN DAY Campaign’s executive director Ken Bossong said:
Calendar year 2024 has proven to be a period of remarkable growth by renewables, especially solar.
The question now is whether they will continue that growth in 2025 or will the incoming Trump Administration adversely affect it.
Read more: Renewables powered 24% of US electricity in first 3 quarters of 2024
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Environment
Tesla Cybertruck sank when launching a jetski after Musk said you could use the truck as a boat
A Tesla Cybertruck sank in Ventura harbor in California when trying to launch a jetski despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk saying that you could use the truck as a boat.
Elon Musk has often made claims before about how Tesla vehicles could float and briefly serve as a boat.
They have never been taken too seriously because Tesla’s warranty says something different about taking the vehicle into the water.
However, the CEO doubled down on the claim with Cybertruck.
Ahead of launching the production version of the Cybertruck, Musk claimed the vehicle would be “waterproof enough” to serve as a boat and cross rivers:
Cybertruck will be waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat, so it can cross rivers, lakes and even seas that aren’t too choppy.
The CEO added that the goal is for a Cybertruck to be able to cross the water between SpaceX’s Starbase and South Padre Island in Texas, which is about 360 meters (1,100 feet).
We have been taking the Cybertruck more seriously with water because we learned that Tesla built a ‘wade mode’ for the truck to be able to go into the water. Tesla says the mode increases the ride height to the max and “pressurizes the battery pack.”
The problem is that it is activated through the off-roading mode, which is not covered under Tesla’s warranty – so we are taking everything with a grain of salt.
Tesla Cybertruck Sank in Ventura
A Tesla owner in California learned the hard way that Cybertruck is not a boat.
The incident happened in Ventura harbor in California on Monday. The Cybertruck owner was launching a jet ski on the boat ramp when he couldn’t get the truck out of the water (via Safety for Citizens)
Beginning shortly before 11:00am, a man had to scramble out of his Cybertruck Monday morning, March 10 of 2025, after the truck fell into the harbor. The man was attempting to launch a jet ski at the time of the accident.
The owner managed to get out, but the truck sank into the water:
The Cybertruck sunk and became completely submerged off the boat launch ramp. A diver from the Coast Guard assisted a tow driver in attaching cables and ropes to the vehicle.
The rescue effort involved the Ventura City Fire Department, Vessel Assist, Tow Boat US, Harbor Patrol, additional Harbor resources, and the Coast Guard.
They shared a few pictures of the rescue effort:
Electrek’s Take
To be fair, it could also be a user error, but either way, I wouldn’t take the Cybertruck into any body of water.
Meanwhile, BYD is just trolling Tesla by actually doing what Elon claimed the Cybertruck would be capable of doing:
It really feels like Tesla is being surpassed based on every metric possible.
Getting solar at your home is one of the best financial moves you can do while helping the economy move away from fossil fuels. To find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage. EnergySage is a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar – whether you’re a homeowner or renter. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20 to 30% compared to going it alone. Some installers even offer Tesla products. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.
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Toyota wants everyone to have access to affordable, convenient EV charging. Through its partnership with EVgo, Toyota opened its first EV fast charger on Monday. The new co-branded stations, with 350kW fast chargers, can serve up to eight EVs.
Toyota, EVgo open first 350kW EV fast charger
The new DC fast charging station opened in Baldwin Park and Sacramento, California, as part of Toyota’s “Empact” vision.
Toyota announced the initiative almost two years ago, aimed at expanding charging access in underserved communities.
“Together with EVgo, we are supporting broader access to charging infrastructure for all battery EV drivers, including those driving Toyota and Lexus BEVs,” Toyota North America General Manager of EV charging solutions, James George, said at the event.
The new stations are near “amenity-rich” areas with nearby grocery stores, restaurants, shopping malls, and other businesses.
Scott Levitan, EVgo’s executive vice president, explained that charging availability is “essential” as more drivers choose electric. The new charging stations are strategically located to provide affordable, convenient access to the surrounding communities.
State Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio, D-Baldwin Park, said the new stations will “support the city’s residents and visitors,” adding, “Fast charging stations provide critical infrastructure that will amplify the use of clean energy transportation across Senate District 8.”
Toyota and EVgo’s initiative is “a win for our environment and for the future of sustainable mobility in Sacramento.”
As one of the nation’s largest public fast-charging operators, EVgo has already deployed over 1,100 stations across 40 US states. As more drivers choose an EV, EVgo will continue partnering with automakers like Toyota to expand fast-charging access.
EVgo and Toyota also expanded their partnership to offer one year of free public charging to those who buy or lease a new 2025 bZ4X.
The 2025 Toyota bZ4X starts at $37,070, or $6,000 less than the 2024 model. It also gained a stealthy new “Nightshade” edition, Toyota’s first EV to receive the new trim.
| 2025 Toyota bZ4X trim | Starting Price (excluding $1,395 DPH fee) |
Price reduction (vs 2024MY) |
Range (mi) |
| XLE FWD | $37,070 | -$6,000 | 252 |
| XLE AWD | $39,150 | -$6,000 | 228 |
| Limited FWD | $41,800 | -$5,380 | 236 |
| Limited AWD | $43,880 | -$5,380 | 222 |
| Nightshade | $40,420 | N/A | 222 |
At 184.6″ long, Toyota’s electric SUV is slightly longer (3.7″) than the RAV4. However, the rear feels more roomy with a longer wheelbase and flat floor design.
On the inside, the 2025 model remains about the same. It includes a standard 12.3″ touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
If you’re ready to test out Toyota’s electric SUV for yourself, we can help you get started. With leases starting at just $259 per month, the 2025 bZ4X is a steal this month. You can use our link to find Toyota bZ4X models at a dealer near you and take it for a spin.
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Brooklyn-based e-bike conversion kit maker CLIP has launched BOLT, a front-mounted electric motor designed to transform standard bicycles into e-bikes. The company is marketing the device as the world’s most affordable quick-install e-bike upgrade, with a focus on making electrified transportation accessible in low-to-moderate income communities and emerging markets.
Unlike traditional e-bikes, which often start at around US $1,000 and go up quickly from there, BOLT is positioned as a low-cost alternative. The device features a 450W motor and a swappable battery system, providing pedal assistance up to 15 mph (25 km/h).
The kit installs on the front fork of most adult bicycles, making it an option for riders who want an e-bike experience without purchasing a dedicated electric bicycle.
While CLIP has previously targeted the business-to-consumer (B2C) market with its easily mountable e-bike conversion kits, BOLT will be distributed primarily through business-to-business (B2B) channels. The company seems to have its sights set on bike sharing and other commercial operators of bike fleets.
In the US and Europe, CLIP is selling the system to businesses for $250, including two 144 Wh battery packs. In emerging markets, BOLT will be offered at a $100 price point, excluding the battery, with users paying a $5 per month subscription fee to access rechargeable battery swaps through local partners.
“BOLT is designed to make e-bike commuting truly accessible and equitable for people everywhere, from New York to New Delhi,” said Som Ray, Founder and CEO of CLIP. “BOLT removes the price barriers of traditional e-bikes while maximizing environmental impact to scale sustainable transportation worldwide.”
CLIP is framing BOLT as both an environmental and social mobility tool, citing the high cost of traditional e-bikes as a barrier to widespread adoption. The company states that over 60% of its riders come from low-to-moderate-income communities, and it plans to partner with local organizations to expand access.
The product is being marketed as a low-impact alternative to full e-bike production, with CLIP claiming that BOLT requires 50 times fewer resources to manufacture and has a 30 times smaller logistics footprint compared to conventional e-bikes. The system is manufactured in Kolkata, India, with localized assembly in North America, Europe, and India.
CLIP has positioned BOLT as a disruptive force in e-bike affordability, which tracks with the device’s rather rare design. Instead of a traditional hub motor or mid-drive motor, CLIP uses a friction drive that presses against the front tire of the bike, forcing it to roll forward. The device’s front-mounted motor configuration is notably different from mid-drive or rear-hub e-bike motors. Additionally, its business-to-business sales model means that individual riders will not be able to purchase the system directly, relying instead on third-party distribution networks.
The company has yet to announce specific partnerships or large-scale deployments, though it has set ambitious climate goals. It claims that widespread adoption of BOLT could eliminate up to 3.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
As BOLT appears set to enter the market, its impact on the growing e-bike sector remains to be seen. With its low price point and modular design, the system could appeal to budget-conscious riders if it proves to be a viable and reliable alternative to traditional e-bikes.
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