5 surprising renewable energy facts for Colorado
Colorado produces 2.6 times as much energy from the sun and wind as it did a decade ago. Find more clean energy facts here.
According to Renewables on the Rise 2024, the eighth edition of our annual report on the state of clean energy in America, Colorado now generates 776% more solar power and 117% more wind power than it did in 2014. This increase means that we can power an additional 1,236,586 households each year with clean energy.
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Here are five interesting facts about clean energy’s growth in Colorado:
1. Colorado generated more solar energy in 2023 alone than all solar generation before 2018 combined.
Colorado produced 5,310 GWh of solar energy last year, up from just 606 GWh in 2014. This was enough to bring us to 11th place in the national solar rankings for solar generation in 2023.
2. There was no reported battery storage capacity in Colorado prior to 2018. Now we’re 8th in the country.
As of 2023, Colorado has installed 0.24 gigawatts of battery storage capacity. This ranks Colorado 8th in the country.
3. There are now 82,563 electric vehicles registered in Colorado.
The number of EVs has grown 4,200% since 2014. Colorado is ranked 9th in the country in terms of EV growth in the past 10 years.
4. Colorado added 1,024 EV charging ports in 2023.
This was a 23.2% increase from 2022 and a 1,091% increase from 2014. Colorado now ranks 7th in the country in EV charging ports installed.
5. Colorado is generating more than double the wind energy than we did in 2014.
Though wind energy was down across the board in 2023, we’ve still seen significant growth since 2014. Colorado is ranked 6th in the country in wind generation.
When we replace fossil fuels with wind turbines and solar panels, and curb wasteful uses of energy, we build a world where the planet and people can thrive.Henry Stiles
Advocate, Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center
Our clean energy growth over the past 10 years has proven the viability and significance of these renewable energy sources. By taking advantage of the opportunities to continue these trends, Colorado can accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.
What can state and local leaders do to keep renewable energy growing?
State and local governments can support renewable energy by:
- setting renewable energy goals with clear benchmarks
- leveraging federal resources to reach renewable energy goals.
- ensuring that utility policies fairly compensate the owners of renewable energy technologies
- support policies for permitting and interconnection that make adopting renewable energy technologies easier.
- expand efficiency programs, including updating energy codes for buildings and adopting the latest appliance efficiency standards.
You can help renewable energy continue to grow in Colorado by taking action below.
Topics
Authors
Henry Stiles
Advocate, Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center
Henry leads Environment Colorado’s campaigns to reduce waste and protect wildlife and open spaces. He is a bird watcher and amateur wildlife photographer, which is what drew him in to doing environmental work. Henry also serves on the board for Colorado Field Ornithologists as the Conservation Committee Chair.
Evan Jones
Former Go Solar, Associate, Environment America Research & Policy Center
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