US solar output has risen 47% this year through September, according to the Department of Energy. Every state increased its solar output, including South Dakota – the only state to generate less than 1,000 MWh over the period – and photovoltaic giant California, which produced 24,877,000 MWh. The growth in renewable energy is being driven by a combination of factors that include falling costs for wind power, increasing demand from utilities such as California Edison and rooftop solar, and rising prices for natural gas
US solar output has risen 47% this year through September, according to the Department of Energy. Every state increased its solar output, including South Dakota – the only state to generate less than 1,000 MWh over the period – and photovoltaic giant California, which produced 24,877,000 MWh. Overall, solar made up 1.9% of total US energy production between January and September, up from 1.3% over the same period in 2016, the report showed.