5 surprising facts about renewable energy growth in New Jersey
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, New Jersey now generates 166% more solar power than it did in 2014. This increase means that we can power an additional 290,983 households each year with clean energy.
Renewables On The Rise Dashboard
Here are five interesting facts about clean energy’s growth in New Jersey:
1. New Jersey generated more solar energy in 2023 alone than all solar generation before 2014 combined.
New Jersey produced 5,033 GWh of solar energy last year, up from 1,888 GWh in 2014. This was enough to bring us to 12th place in the national solar rankings.
2. There was no reported battery storage capacity in New Jersey until 2018, now we’re 14th in the country.
As of 2023, New Jersey has installed 0.07 gigawatts of battery storage capacity. This ranks New Jersey 14th in the country.
3. There are now 125,317 electric vehicles registered in New Jersey.
The number of EVs has grown 5,380% since 2014. New Jersey is ranked 5th in the country in terms of EV growth in the past 10 years.
4. New Jersey added 1,010 EV charging ports in 2023.
This was a 37.2% increase from 2022 and a 1299% increase from 2014. New Jersey now ranks 13th in the country in EV charging ports installed.
5. New Jersey is generating 41% more wind energy than we did in 2010.
Though wind energy was down across the board in 2023, we’ve still seen significant growth in the last 15 years. New Jersey is ranked 40th 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.
Doug O’Malley
State Director, Environment New Jersey 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, New Jersey 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 New Jersey by taking action below.
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Authors
As director of Environment New Jersey, Doug has led campaigns to fast-track New Jersey’s clean energy economy via offshore wind, solar and energy efficiency programs, to rejoin New Jersey in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) program, oppose the expansion of fossil fuel projects, and expand electric vehicles across the state. He has also led campaigns focused on New Jersey’s drinking water quality and protection of the state’s watershed lands. Doug serves on the boards of the Work Environment Council, and the Environmental Endowment of New Jersey and is the president of ChargEVC, an electric vehicle coalition. He was recognized by EPA Region II with an Environmental Quality Award in 2012.
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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