5 surprising facts about renewable energy growth in Connecticut
October 23, 2024
According to Renewables on the Rise 2024, the eighth edition of our annual report on the state of clean energy in America, Connecticut has made substantial progress on clean energy. 10 years ago, Connecticut harnessed no wind power and only generated 138 gigawatt hours of solar. In 2023, wind and solar generated 12 times that for a total of 1,669 GWh. This increase means that Connecticut can power an additional 141,877 average households each year with clean energy.
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Here are five interesting facts about clean energy’s growth in Connecticut:
1. Connecticut generated more solar energy in 2023 alone than all solar generation before 2018 combined.
Connecticut produced 1,659 GWh of solar energy last year, up from 138 GWh in 2014. This was enough to bring us to 23rd place in the national solar rankings.
2. Though battery storage is largely non-existent in Connecticut, it’s coming soon.
As of 2023, Connecticut still has less than 100 megawatts of battery storage. But commitments to 1 GW of energy storage by 2030 are driving project exploration and development.
3. There are now 29,587 electric vehicles registered in Connecticut.
The number of EVs has grown 3,521% since 2014. Connecticut is ranked 22th in the country in terms of EV growth in the past 10 years.
4. Connecticut added 904 EV charging ports in 2023.
This was a 55% increase from 2022 and a 615% increase from 2014. Connecticut now ranks 20th in the country in EV charging ports installed.
5. Connecticut’s first commercial; wind turbines went online in late 2015. Now Connecticut is producing 10 GWh of wind power annually.
Though wind energy was down across the board in 2023, we’ve seen growth in recent years. Connecticut is ranked 41st in the country in wind generation.
When we replace fossil fuels with wind turbines and solar panels, and curb wasteful uses of energy, we build a world where the planet and people can thrive.
Chris Phelps
State Director, Environment Connecticut Research & Policy Center
Our clean energy growth over the past 10 years has proven the viability and significance of these renewable energy sources. By taking advantage of the opportunities to continue these trends, Connecticut can accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.
What can state and local leaders do to keep renewable energy growing?
State and local governments can support renewable energy by:
- setting renewable energy goals with clear benchmarks
- leveraging federal resources to reach renewable energy goals.
- ensuring that utility policies fairly compensate the owners of renewable energy technologies
- support policies for permitting and interconnection that make adopting renewable energy technologies easier.
- expand efficiency programs, including updating energy codes for buildings and adopting the latest appliance efficiency standards.
You can help renewable energy continue to grow in Connecticut by taking action below.
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Authors
Chris directs legislative and administrative policy advocacy campaigns for Environment Connecticut. Prior to serving in this role, he served as the director of ConnPIRG. He has led successful campaigns to win consumer identity theft protections, clean air standards for new cars, caps on greenhouse gas emissions, a ban on the import and dumping of toxic fracking waste, and increases in solar power installations in Connecticut. Chris lives in central Connecticut.
Evan works as a campaign associate and organizer on Environment America’s clean energy campaigns. Evan lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he enjoys running, hiking and tennis.
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