U.S. Renewable Energy Factsheet CSS03-12 E2018
U.S. Renewable Energy Factsheet CSS03-12 E2018
U.S. Renewable Energy Factsheet CSS03-12 E2018
Wind
• U.S. onshore wind resources have the potential to generate almost 11,000 GW of electricity, 123
times more than the current installed capacity of 82.1GW.4,5
• In 2013, the U.S. installed 1.1 GW of wind capacity, a 92% decrease from 2012.6 This significant
drop resulted from the expiration of the federal production tax credit (PTC) in 2013.7 Since
2013, the PTC has been retroactively reinstated with an expiration date of December 31, 2019.8
7.017 GW of wind capacity were installed in the U.S. in 2017, a 9% increase in cumulative wind
power capacity from 2016.9 Future estimates range from 80 GW to almost 400 GW by 2050.10
• Based on the average U.S. electricity fuel mix, a 1 MW wind turbine can displace 1,800 tons of
CO2 emissions per year.11 With a wind power capacity of 400 GW, wind could account for 35% of U.S. electricity demand and 12.3 gigatonnes
of CO2 emissions could be avoided annually, resulting in a 14% reduction in CO2 emissions when compared to 2013.12
• Wind turbines generate no emissions and use no water when producing electricity, but concerns include bat and bird mortality, land use,
noise, and aesthetics.13 U.S. Photovoltaic Installations, 2000-201614
16000
Solar 15000
14000
14762
Utility
• Assuming intermediate efficiency, solar photovoltaic (PV) modules covering 0.6% of U.S. land 13000
Commercial
PV Installations (MW)
12000
• Solar PV installations reached an all-time high of 14,762 MWdc in 2016, increasing by 97% 4000
3000
3373
1926
compared to 2015 installations.14 In 2017, 10.6 GWdc of solar photovoltaic capacity was added, 2000
1000 4 11 23 45 58 79 105 160 298
385
852
0
which was 30% less than that in 2016 but still exceeded 2015 level by 40%, raising total installed
capacity to 53 GW. Solar accounted for 30% of new generating capacity in 2017.18
U.S. Biomass Consumption, 1975-20171
• The U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative aims to reduce the price of solar energy
75% from 2010 to 2020, which is projected to lead to 27% of U.S. electricity demand met by
solar technology and a 28% decrease in electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.15
• While solar PV modules produce no emissions during operation, toxic substances (e.g.,
cadmium and selenium) are used in them.15
Biomass
• Wood—mostly as pulp, paper, and paperboard industry waste products—accounts for 44% of
total biomass energy consumption. Waste—municipal solid waste, landfill gas, sludge, tires,
and agricultural by-products—accounts for an additional 10%.1
• Biomass has low net CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels. At combustion, it releases only CO2 previously removed from the atmosphere.
Additional emissions are associated with processing and 124 acres of land are required to generate one GWh of electricity per year.19
• U.S. ethanol production is projected to reach 40 million gallons per day in 2050.2
billion kWh, which is half of the current U.S. capacity.2,23 Hydropower Electricity Generation, 201524
Hydroelectric
• In the U.S., net electricity generation from conventional hydropower peaked in 1997 at 356
TWh/yr. Currently, the U.S. gets about 300 TWh/yr of electricity from hydropower.1,25
• While electricity generated from hydropower is virtually emission free, significant
levels of methane and CO2 may be emitted through the decomposition of vegetation
in the reservoir.26 Other environmental concerns include fish injury and mortality,
habitat degradation, and water quality impairment. “Fish-friendly” turbines and
smaller dams help mitigate some of these problems.27
Cite as: Center for Sustainable Systems, University of Michigan. 2018. “U.S. Renewable Energy Factsheet.” Pub. No. CSS03-12. August 2018