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5 surprising facts about renewable energy growth in Georgia
Georgia produces more than 37 times as much solar 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, Georgia now generates 3,616% more solar power than it did in 2014. This increase means that we can power an additional 730,701 households each year with clean energy.
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Here are five interesting facts about clean energy’s growth in Georgia:
1. Georgia generated more solar energy in 2023 alone than all solar generation before 2019 combined.
Georgia produced 8,103 GWh of solar energy last year, up from 218 GWh in 2014. This was enough to bring us to 7th place in the national solar rankings.
2. Georgia had no reported battery storage capacity until 2021, now we’re 13th in the country.
As of 2023, Georgia has installed 0.08 gigawatts of battery storage capacity. This ranks Georgia 13th in the country.
3. By the end of 2023, there were 85,050 all-electric vehicles registered in Georgia.
The number of EVs has grown 551% since 2014. Georgia is ranked 11th in the country in terms of EV growth in the past 10 years. The number of EVs has continued to climb in 2024. Recent reports have found over 100,000 EVs in Georgia.
4. Georgia added 863 EV charging ports in 2023.
This was a roughly 21% increase from 2022 and a 627% increase from 2014. Georgia now ranks 9th in the country in EV charging ports installed.
5. Georgia has significantly increased energy efficiency since 2014.
Incremental lifetime energy savings have increased from 3,583 GWh in 2014 to 6,127 GWh in 2022. This increase of over 70% helps Georgia continue to limit its energy impact.
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.Jennette Gayer
State Director, Environment Georgia 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, Georgia 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 Georgia by taking action below.
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Authors
Jennette Gayer
State Director, Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center
As director, Jennette coordinates policy development, research, outreach and legislative advocacy for Environment Georgia. She has run successful campaigns to designate Georgia’s first outstanding national resource water along the headwaters of the Conasauga River, expand parks along the Chattahoochee River and Jekyll Island State Park, and stop construction of three new coal-fired power plants in Georgia, while also advocating for solar policies that have helped make Georgia one of the top 10 states for solar in the country. She serves on the leadership team for the Georgia Water Coalition, and on the boards of Citizens for Progressive Transit and The Georgia Solar Energy Association. Jennette lives in Atlanta, where she enjoys training for triathlons and hiking and camping in Georgia’s mountains.
Evan Jones
Former Go Solar, Associate, Environment America Research & Policy Center
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