Renewable Energy by State: Where America Stands

The State of Renewable Energy in America

The US electricity sector is in the midst of a historic transformation. Renewable energy sources — wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass — now account for a growing share of total generation. But the pace of adoption varies dramatically by state.

Top Renewable Energy States

The leaders in renewable energy share tend to have natural advantages: Washington and Oregon benefit from massive hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River. Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma have strong and consistent wind resources in the Great Plains. California and Nevada have some of the best solar resources in the world.

What Drives Renewable Adoption?

Natural Resources

Geography is destiny in energy. States with rivers suitable for hydroelectric dams, consistent high-altitude winds, or intense sunshine have inherent advantages for renewable generation.

Policy and Regulation

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) require utilities to source a minimum percentage of electricity from renewables. Currently, 30 states plus DC have mandatory RPS targets, ranging from 10% to 100% by various target dates.

Economics

The cost of wind and solar has fallen dramatically — over 90% for solar panels since 2010. In many regions, new wind and solar are now cheaper than continuing to operate existing coal plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

States leading in renewable energy include Vermont (99.8%), South Dakota (81.6%), Washington (69.5%). These states benefit from abundant hydropower, strong wind resources, or aggressive renewable portfolio standards.

It depends. States with abundant hydropower (Washington, Idaho) have some of the cheapest electricity in the country. Wind energy in the Great Plains states is also very cost-competitive. However, the transition costs of building new renewable infrastructure can temporarily increase rates.