COLUMBIA, S.C. — The electric power sector generates and distributes electricity to homes, business, factories, electric vehicles and farming operations. However, the electric power sector also produces 25% of heat-trapping pollution in the U.S. Most of this pollution comes from burning fossil fuels to produce electricity.

As demand for electricity continues to grow, producing more clean electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind will be key to meeting surging demand while reducing heat-trapping pollution. Building on clean energy progress and transitioning away from fossil fuels around the world is essential to limit dangerous warming and ensure and safer future for younger generations. 

According to Climate Central, in the U.S., investment in clean energy technologies reached record levels in 2024. In 2023, the U.S. added 149,000 clean energy jobs, with employment in that sector growing at more than double the rate of the overall economy. 

Climate Central used the latest solar and wind energy data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to assess clean energy growth over the last 10 years (2015 to 2024) in all 50 states.

Solar is the fastest-growing source of electricity in the U.S. with growth occurring in all 50 states over the last 10 years. Wind generation grew in 39 states (A total of 42 states produce electricity from wind.)

According to Climate Central, in 2024, the U.S. generated a record 756,621 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity from solar and wind. This is enough to power the equivalent of more than 70 million average American homes. This is more than triple the amount generated a decade ago, in 2015.

Together, solar and wind accounted for 17% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2024. This is a greater share of the electricity than ever before.

The U.S. is heading in the right direction, but according to the latest IPCC reports, global use of coal, oil, and natural gas must be cut by 95%, 60%, and 45% respectively within the next 25 years to limit future warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F).