Source: http://sustainableenergyz.wordpress.com

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest issue of “Electric Power Monthly“, including data through December 31, 2012, states that non-hydro renewable sources have increased by 12.8% last year compared to 2011 and provided 5.4% of new U.S. electrical generation. Solar increased by 138.9% while wind grew 16.6%, geothermal by 9.6%, and biomass (i.e., wood, wood-derived fuels, and other biomass) by 1.6%. These numbers indicate that non-hydro renewable energy sources have more than doubled their contribution to the nation’s electrical supply since 2007. Also in 2012 compared to 2011, total net U.S. electrical generation dropped by 1.1% with petroleum coke & liquids down by 24.1%, coal by 12.5%, and nuclear by 2.6%. Coal has in fact fallen to 37.4% of net electrical generation while nuclear, for the first time in many years, slipped below 19%. The EIA report also reveals the top renewable-electricity generating states for 2012, including California, Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, and New Mexico as the top five solar states.  “Technical advances, falling costs, and the desire to address climate change have combined to rapidly expand the contribution of renewable energy to the nation’s electrical generation,” said Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign.

Source: Sun Day Campaign news advisory- EIA’s YEAR-END ELECTRICAL GENERATION REPORT FOR 2012 REVEALS SOLAR GROWING BY 138.9% WIND UP 16.6%, GEOTHERMAL UP 9.6%, BIOMASS UP 1.6% - WHILE NUCLEAR, COAL, AND OIL ALL DECLINE

Source: http://247wallst.com/category/alternative-energy/

According to the latest “Energy Infrastructure Update” report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Energy Projects, 1,231 MW of new in-service electrical generating capacity from wind, solar, and biomass sources came on line in the United States in January 2013. This shows a nearly three-fold increase in generating capacity compared to January 2012, when wind, solar, and biomass provided 431 MW of new capacity. Wind accounted for the largest share of new capacity in January 2013 with six new units providing 958 MW followed by sixteen units of solar, and six units of biomass. Renewable energy sources now account for 15.66% of total installed US operating generating capacity, while there is no new generating capacity reported for any fossil fuel or nuclear power sources. Once again renewable energy sources are dominating the electrical generation market. SUN DAY Campaign Executive Director Ken Bossong states, “And once again, their rapid expansion demonstrates that the U.S. can meet its future energy needs without resorting to dirtier sources such as nuclear power or the Keystone XL pipeline.”

Source: SUN DAY Campaign News Release- WIND, SOLAR, AND BIOMASS PROVIDE ALL NEW U.S. ELECTRICAL GENERATING CAPACITY IN JANUARY 2013