The USA adds a record solar capacity in 2024

Renewable energies now account for 24 percent of the US energy portfolio. March 5, 2025

The United States added new solar capacity in 2024 49 GW, a new record for additional solar capacity, as reported by a new Business Council report for sustainable energy, as reported by PV Tech. Renewable energies now account for 24 percent of the US energy portfolio.

In addition, 5 GW meant new wind capacity that 2024 was the first year that increased the capacity of renewable energies of more than 50 GW.

Using the metric of the levels of electricity costs (LCOE), which measures the relative effort of different types of power generation, solar and wind, both have the lowest LCOE of all kinds of power generation, including core and coal. Solars LCOE costs 45 US dollars per MWh and wind costs about 40 US dollars per MWh. Fossil fuel sources such as coal and natural gas have an LCOE of up to $ 122 $/MWh.

One reason for the profits of Solar – both in terms of additional capacity and economic competitiveness – is also decreasing. There were also almost 12 GW storage capacity in 2024, an increase of 55 percent compared to the previous year.

In total, the United States generated 1,063 TWh of renewable electricity in 2024. The first time that the US's generated more than 1,000 TWh of renewable energies.

Greg Zimmerman is a leading editor for FacitiESETEN.COM and Building Operating Management Magazine.

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