by Dr. Thomas Webler
The results from 2018 are in and solar and wind now make up almost 9% of U.S. electricity. Solar electric energy was up 25% in 2018 and now supplies 2.4% of U.S. electricity.
The leading states and percentage of electricity generated from solar are:
- California – 14%
- Nevada – 12%
- Hawaii – 12%
- Arizona – 8.7%
- Utah – 7.6%
None of the New England states were in the top five, but Massachusetts (5.6%) and Vermont (4.7%) were more than twice the national average.
About 70% of solar electricity comes from utility-scale solar farms, not rooftop systems. Only four states had zero utility-scale solar: Alaska, West Virginia, North Dakota, and (unfortunately) New Hampshire.
It would be good to see Eversource start to invest in this low-cost electricity.
Learn more
Dr. Thomas Webler is an assistant professor of environmental studies at Keene State College.
Clean Energy Keene 