The dominance of solar energy in the U.S. continues to make headlines, with recent data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) revealing that solar has once again outpaced all other energy sources in terms of new electrical generating capacity for the sixth consecutive month. This trend underscores the remarkable growth and resilience of solar power in the nation's energy landscape.
In February alone, solar accounted for an impressive 83.64% of new domestic generating capacity, with 29 solar units contributing 1,043 megawatts (MW) to the total. The remaining portion of new capacity was mainly provided by wind energy, particularly the 200-MW Horizon Hill Wind Project in Oklahoma. Notably, natural gas only saw a marginal increase of 4-MW during this period.
This surge in solar capacity extends beyond February, with solar accounting for 78.50% of new capacity in the first two months of the year, followed by wind at 20.34%. These figures highlight the continued momentum of renewable energy adoption in the U.S., with solar leading the charge.
As a result of these recent additions, solar's share of total available installed utility-scale generating capacity now stands at 8.21%, surpassing that of hydropower. Wind energy maintains a leading position at 11.77%, further solidifying the growing presence of renewables in the nation's energy portfolio.
Looking ahead, FERC's projections suggest a promising outlook for solar energy, with "high probability" additions totaling 87,749-MW between March 2024 and February 2027. This forecast, which outpaces that of wind energy, underscores the continued expansion of solar capacity in the coming years.
It's important to note that FERC's data primarily focuses on utility-scale facilities and may not fully capture the contributions of distributed renewables, such as rooftop solar PV. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), small-scale solar PV is estimated to account for a significant portion of the nation's solar generation, further emphasizing the widespread adoption of solar energy.
In conclusion, solar energy's remarkable growth trajectory and its ability to consistently outperform expectations underscore its pivotal role in the nation's transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. As solar continues to expand its footprint, it is poised to play a central role in shaping the energy landscape for years to come.