Renewable Energy Usage Grows in the U.S.

Usage of renewable energy in the U.S. has grown to 13.5% of total electricity generation and 15.5% of total electricity generation, according to new data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The 2014 Renewable Energy Data Book shows that renewable sources accounted for over 50% of new electricity capacity installations in the U.S. in 2014.

The report also highlights the strong growth in solar usage, with worldwide capacity for photovoltaics and concentrating solar power increasing by 28%, and solar capacity in the U.S. growing by over 54% (5.5 GW). Additionally, wind power grew in 2014 with electricity generation rising by 8.3% and capacity increasing by 7.8%. The research also found that electricity capacities of biomass, geothermal, and hydropower sources have remained somewhat stable from 2000 to 2014.