RELEASE: PA ranks abysmal 48th in U.S. for renewable energy growth

PHILADELPHIA – Pennsylvania ranks 48th in the nation for rate of growth in total solar, wind and geothermal generation over the past decade, according to new data released on Thursday by the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center. Using an interactive online dashboard, Renewables on the Rise 2024 documents the growth of six key clean energy technologies across the United States over the past decade and ranks states accordingly for solar power, wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations. 

Pennsylvania’s rate of total clean energy adoption has fallen well behind the national pace, and ranked 48th among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., with only Idaho, Washington and Alaska ranking lower. Sadly, the renewable energy growth over the last decade in the Commonwealth is only enough to power less than 2% of Pennsylvania’s homes. At the same time, renewable energy produces only the equivalent of  3% of retail sales of electricity in the state, a percentage which has remained stagnant since 2014.

“So far, Pennsylvania has been missing out on the renewable energy party happening nationwide, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” said Ellie Kerns, Climate and Clean Energy Advocate with PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center. “Pennsylvania has immense renewable energy potential. State legislators can start making sure we tap into it by passing Governor Shapiro’s Clean Energy Plan.”

Despite lagging behind in total renewable generation, Renewables on the Rise shows some positive signs for the Keystone State. Pennsylvania has seen a more than 4,000% increase in electric vehicle registrations since 2013, ranking the Commonwealth 14th in total EV registrations. Similarly, the number of EV charging ports has increased 11-fold, ranking Pennsylvania 11th in the nation for this category.

“These continued investments in strengthening EV infrastructure in Pennsylvania … ensure that the future of Pennsylvania transportation is on track to be cleaner, safer, more affordable, and more reliable than ever before,” said Natasha Fackler, PennDOT Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator.

When it comes to solar power, Pennsylvania generates triple the amount of energy from the sun compared to just 5 years ago, putting it in the middle of the pack (26th) behind neighboring states like New York (8th), New Jersey (12th), Maryland (18th) and even Ohio (22nd).

“Solar energy is a powerful tool for building a sustainable future,” says Alyssa Wingenfield, VP of Sales & Marketing at McClure Company. “Let’s work together to harness its full potential for the benefit of our communities and the state of Pennsylvania.”

To move the state from laggard to leader, PennEnvironment is calling on the General Assembly to pass Gov. Shapiro’s Energy Plan, House Bill 2277 and Senate Bill 1190, which would require utility companies supplying electricity in Pennsylvania to get 35% of their power from renewable energy sources like wind and solar by 2035; as well as House Bill 2275 and Senate Bill 1191 which would require Pennsylvania’s largest global warming polluters to pay for their harmful emissions, and then invest those funds in clean energy projects and energy rebates for Pennsylvania consumers.  

“Every state bordering Pennsylvania (except West Virginia) has much more aggressive renewable energy targets, with most aiming for double-digit percentages of renewable power by 2030,” said Aaron Nichols, Marketing & Advocacy Specialist with Exact Solar. “It’s time for Pennsylvania to not only catch up to our neighbors, but to lead in clean energy.”

Implementing these policies at the state level will complement the benefits available to Pennsylvanians in the 2022 federal Inflation Reduction Act, such as tax credits for renewable energy and for the purchase of new and used electric vehicles through 2032. 

“Our Renewables on the Rise report offers a timely reminder that we have an immense, largely untapped opportunity when it comes to clean energy here in Pennsylvania,” Kerns said. “Pennsylvanians are already reaping the benefits of the progress we’ve made so far, but there is so much more we can do to usher in the clean, renewable energy future we need, starting with passing Governor Shapiro’s Clean Energy Plan.”

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The PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. For more information, visit www.pennenvironmentcenter.org.