Google: Keep your clean energy pledge
5 surprising facts about renewable energy growth in Maryland
Maryland produces 4.2 times as much energy from the sun and wind as it did a decade ago. Find more Maryland 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, Maryland now generates 575% more solar power and 48% more wind power than it did in 2014. This increase means that we can power an additional 201,927 households each year with renewable energy.
Renewables On The Rise Dashboard
Here are five interesting facts about clean energy’s growth in Maryland:
1. Maryland generated more solar energy in 2023 alone than all solar generation before 2017 combined.
Maryland produced 2,372 GWh of solar energy last year, up from 351 GWh in 2014. This was enough to bring us to 18th place in the national solar rankings.
2. Maryland did not have any reported battery storage capacity until 2015, now we’re 26th in the country.
As of 2023, Maryland has installed 10 megawatts of battery storage capacity. This ranks Maryland 26th in the country.
3. There were 64,919 all-electric vehicles registered in Maryland as of 2023.
The number of EVs has grown 4,353% since 2014. Maryland is ranked 13th in the country in terms of EV growth in the past 10 years.
4. Maryland added 1,058 EV charging ports in 2023.
This was a 26% increase from 2022 and a 645% increase from 2014. Maryland now ranks 8th in the country in EV charging ports installed.
5. Maryland’s utility-scale first wind farm came online in 2010, now we’re generating 482 GWh annually.
Though wind energy was down across the board in 2023, we’ve still seen significant growth in the last 15 years. Maryland is ranked 31st 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.Johanna Neumann
Senior Director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy, Environment America 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, Maryland 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 Maryland by taking action below.
Get resources on how you can go solar — and more
Sign up and we will email you information on how you can go solar, support renewable energy and help build a greener future--starting at home!
Topics
Authors
Johanna Neumann
Senior Director, Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy, Environment America
Johanna directs strategy and staff for Environment America's energy campaigns at the local, state and national level. In her prior positions, she led the campaign to ban smoking in all Maryland workplaces, helped stop the construction of a new nuclear reactor on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and helped build the support necessary to pass the EmPOWER Maryland Act, which set a goal of reducing the state’s per capita electricity use by 15 percent. She also currently serves on the board of Community Action Works. Johanna lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, with her family, where she enjoys growing dahlias, biking and the occasional game of goaltimate.
Evan Jones
Go Solar, Associate, Environment America Research & Policy Center
Evan works as a campaign associate and organizer on Environment America's clean energy campaigns. Evan lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he enjoys running, hiking and tennis.
Find Out More
Electric bills are set to increase in June for 65 million Americans. Here’s why.
Which states are poised to lead on battery storage?
Renewables are on the rise — and so are new energy challenges
