No other energy source came close to matching solar’s rate of growth in 2024 – in numbers
Solar generation for the first 11 months of 2024 increased by over 26%, while new solar generating capacity added in November was the second-highest monthly total ever reported, according to new data released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
New solar capacity easily surpassed all other energy sources during the first 11 months of 2024, followed by wind, according to the SUN DAY Campaign, which reviewed the data.
Solar was 81.4% of new capacity during the first 11 months of 2024 and 98.6% in November alone. According to FERC’s latest “Energy Infrastructure Update” report (with data through November 30, 2024), 25,817 megawatts (MW) of new utility-scale solar generation was placed into service in the first 11 months of 2024 – 81.4% of the total.
In November alone, solar added 4,132 MW representing 98.6% of all new capacity added, making it the second-largest monthly expansion, behind only December 2023 when 4,979 MW were added. Moreover, November was the 15th month in a row that solar was the largest source of new utility-scale generating capacity.
Utility-scale solar generating capacity has now reached 125.53 gigawatts (GW) or 9.61% of the total installed capacity by all energy sources. (FERC’s data do not include the capacity of small-scale solar systems that account for roughly 30% of all US solar capacity.)
New wind capacity year-to-date (YTD) accounted for most of the balance through November – 2,804 MW (8.8%). Another 248 MW were provided by hydropower, geothermal, and biomass. Thus, the mix of all renewables accounted for 91.0% of all new capacity additions.
New solar capacity should provide substantially more electricity than the natural gas or nuclear power plants that came online in 2024. In November alone, 72 new “units” of utility-scale (ie, >1 MW) solar were placed into service while 613 units came online YTD. Their combined capacity was almost double that reported for the same period in 2023 (13,829 MW).
Moreover, generating capacity of the new solar facilities was 15 times greater than the capacity additions of natural gas (1,711 MW) and nearly 24 times more than those of nuclear power (1,100 MW).
The new solar capacity should produce more electricity than the nuclear and gas-fired power plants that came online in 2024, notwithstanding that the latter two have significantly higher capacity factors than either solar or wind: nuclear – 93.0%, natural gas – 59.7%, wind – 33.2%, solar – 23.2%.
Adjusting for the differences in capacity factors, the solar added in 2024 YTD should generate almost six times more electricity than the new capacity additions of either nuclear power or natural gas. Electricity to be produced by newly added wind should nearly match that of either new nuclear or gas capacity.
Solar remains the fastest-growing source of US electrical generation. According to EIA’s latest monthly “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through November 30, 2024), the combination of utility-scale and “estimated” small-scale (e.g., rooftop) solar increased by 26.2% in the first 11 months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This reflects a combination of 31.0% growth by utility-scale solar thermal and PV plus 15.4% growth by small-scale facilities (ie, <1 MW).
No other energy source came close to matching that rate of growth. The second-fastest growing source of electrical generation was wind power, which grew by 7.6%.
By comparison, natural gas and nuclear power expanded by just 3.8% and 0.6%, respectively, while coal-generated electricity shrunk by 4.7%.
Utility-scale solar provided 5.1% of US electrical generation through the end of November, while small-scale solar provided another 2.0%. Combined, that placed solar generation second to that of wind (10.3%) and ahead of hydropower (5.5%), biomass (1.1%), and geothermal (0.3%).
Through the first 11 months of 2024, the mix of all renewables accounted for 24.3% of total US electrical generation – up from 22.9% a year earlier. Moreover, the combination of just solar and wind outproduced coal by 18% and came close to the output of the US’s nuclear power plants.
“Solar and other renewables are facing an uncertain future under a seemingly hostile Trump administration,” noted the SUN DAY Campaign’s executive director Ken Bossong. “But the strong and unceasing growth by solar and wind provides the best argument for their continued support.”
Read more: The world’s largest solar + storage project will deliver power 24/7
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Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to unveil the electric version of its best-selling SUV, the GLC, later this year. With its official debut just around the corner, Mercedes revealed a few new details, offering an exclusive first look at the new EV.
Mercedes offers an exclusive look at the new electric GLC
Although we got a sneak peek of the electric SUV in March during winter testing in Northern Sweden, Mercedes is giving us a better idea of what to expect.
“We’re not just introducing a new model – we’re electrifying our top seller,” Mercedes-Benz Group CEO, Ola Källenius, said on Thursday.
Mercedes promises the electric GLC “sets new standards” with a sleek new design, advanced tech, and its new MB.OS operating system.
The new GLC EV is an upgrade over the current model, offering significantly more space and improved ride quality. Since the wheelbase is 3.1″ longer than the current gas-powered SUV, the electric version has more legroom and headroom for front and rear passengers.
With all the seats folded, the electric SUV offers 61.4 cubic feet of space. The gas-powered model features up to 56.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Plus, you get an extra 4.5 cu ft of space in the trunk (front trunk).
Källenius said that with Mercedes’ new 800V electric architecture and latest batteries, the electric GLC can regain around 260 km (161 miles) WLTP range in just ten minutes. He added that DC fast charging at over 320 kW is possible.
The GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology will arrive with impressive towing capability of up to 5,291 lbs. In comparison, the Tesla Model Y can only tow up to 3,500 lbs.
Added features, such as ESP trailer stabilization and trailer maneuvering assistant, make it even easier to tow with optimized stability and control.
Källenius also teased the new electric GLC design, calling it the start of a “new era” and “a new face of the brand as the first in a family of upcoming vehicles.”
The inside is just as impressive, providing a holistic experience. A “majestically floating next generation MBUX Hyperscreen” is optional, providing a spatial experience powered by the new MB.OS supercomputer.
Mercedes will unveil the new electric GLC at the 2025 International Motor Show in Munich on September 7, 2025.
Although official range figures will be revealed at the event, according to Car and Driver, which tested a prototype model, Mercedes said it expects the new GLC to provide a WLTP range of just over 400 miles, or slightly more than 300 miles on the EPA scale, from a 94.5 kWh battery.
Prices will also be announced in due time, but given that the current GLC 350e 4MATIC PHEV starts at $59,900 in the US, you can expect the electric model to be priced slightly higher, at around $65,000.
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Tesla (TSLA) announced its 2025 annual shareholders meeting at the very last minute, and it pushed it all the way to November, the latest it has ever held the meeting.
Tesla generally holds its annual meeting in the summer and announces it way ahead of time.
Today, the automaker announced that the meeting will be held on November 6:
The board of directors (the “Board”) of Tesla, Inc. (“Tesla”) has designated November 6, 2025 as the date of Tesla’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”).
This is highly unusual for Tesla. Here are the dates of Tesla’s last 5 annual meetings:
- 2020: September 22, 2020
- 2021: October 7, 2021
- 2022: August 4, 2022
- 2023: May 16, 2023
- 2024: June 13, 2024
At those meetings, shareholders vote on several matters, including the reelection of directors and shareholders’ proposals.
Tesla has not released any yet, but they are expected to be in the upcoming proxy statement, which Tesla should release in the coming weeks.
Why does Tesla need more time?
Electrek’s Take
I think Tesla is working on some proposals that are going to take time to put together and then to sell to shareholders – hence why the meeting is set for November.
There are two suspects: a new CEO compensation package for Musk or a merger/acquisition of xAI.
It could also be both, but I think that would be harder to swallow for some shareholders as both initiatives have a clear aim of giving Musk a bigger stake in Tesla.
I think sane investors should not want that, but Tesla shareholders don’t fit in that category. Much of Tesla’s value is attached to Musk’s lies and ridiculous predictions. The value will have to come down to reality at some point, but they are a bunch of gamblers who are enjoying the ride in the meantime.
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A three-row electric SUV for less than $30,000? Sign me up. NIO (NYSE: NIO) opened pre-orders for the new Onvo L90 on Thursday, starting from 193,900 yuan, or about $27,000.
NIO kicks off Onvo L90 pre-orders in China
NIO claims the Onvo L90 is the lightest full-size three-row SUV in its class, with a curb weight just under 5,000 lbs (2,250 kg). In comparison, the Lucid Gravity has a curb weight of 5,966 lbs (2,712 kg).
The new flagship model is designed as a family-friendly SUV, offering ample interior space and advanced technology.
At 5,145 mm long, 1,998 mm wide, and 1,766 mm tall, the Onvo L90 is slightly bigger than the Lucid Gravity. In China, it will go head-to-head with higher-end electric SUVs like Li Auto’s L9.
However, the L9 is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and starts at around 409,800 yuan ($57,000), more than double the price of the Onvo L90.
The low price of 193,900 yuan ($27,000) applies only to those who rent the battery. Nio’s Battery as a Service (BaaS) costs 899 yuan ($125) a month. With the battery included, the Onvo L90 still starts at just 279,900 yuan ($39,000).
Nio’s new electric SUV is offered in six and seven-seat configurations. The interior features a massive 17.2″ floating infotainment screen at the center.
Other interior highlights include a three-zone climate control system, massage, heating, and ventilation for every seat, as well as an additional entertainment screen for rear passengers. And like many new vehicles in China nowadays, it even comes with a built-in refrigerator.
Powered by an 85 kWh battery, the Onvo L90 offers a CLTC range of 605 km (367 miles). It’s also based on NIO’s next-gen 900V platform, unlocking class-leading energy consumption of just 14.5 kWh per 100 km.
Buyers can choose from single and all-wheel-drive powertrains. The AWD version boasts up to 590 hp (440 kW), good for a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) sprint in just 4.7 seconds.
NIO is offering an incentive for early pre-order holders. Those who place an order with a 2,000 yuan deposit will receive a 5,000 yuan credit off the vehicle and an extra 5,000 yuan for optional features and more. Nio plans to begin delivering Onvo L90 to customers, starting on August 1.
The L90 is the second Onvo-branded EV to arrive in China, following the smaller L60, launched last September.
Source: CarNewsChina, NIO Onvo
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