The production of renewable electricity derived from solar and wind energy sources in the U.S. nearly quadrupled between 2011 and 2020, according to a new report from Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group. Renewables could meet the nation’s current electricity needs by 2035, according to a report from Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group, if wind, solar and geothermal power capacity continues to expand at the same 15% rate.

Analysis of data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration data reveals that the U.S. produced 125,820 GWh of wind and solar electricity in 2011 and generated 470,141 GWh in 2020. Geothermal generation stayed largely constant and, as of 2020, stood at a relatively low 16,930 GWh.

Solar generation grew particularly quickly, with the report finding a 23-fold increase since 2011. Wind, which started at a higher percentage than solar, saw an almost threefold increase. Three states — Iowa, North Dakota and Kansas — now produce at least half the amount of electricity they consume from wind and solar.

In 2019, energy efficiency programs saved enough electricity to power more than 2.5 million homes. During 2011 to 2020, the cumulative number of battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles sold in the U.S. grew 100-fold to nearly 1.7 million. Battery storage capacity expanded more than 18-fold from 2011 to 2020 and grew by 67% in 2020 alone.

To contact the author of this article, email shimmelstein@globalspec.com