From NREL:

2014 Data Book Shows Increased Use of Renewable Electricity

DECEMBER 09, 2015

The 2014 Renewable Energy Data Book shows that U.S. renewable electricity grew to 15.5 percent of total installed capacity and 13.5 percent of total electricity generation. Published annually by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on behalf of the Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Data Book illustrates United States and global energy statistics, including renewable electricity generation, renewable energy development, clean energy investments, and technology-specific data and trends.

"The 2014 Renewable Energy Data Book displays renewable energy trends for the United States and the world," NREL Energy Analyst Philipp Beiter said. "The Data Book's findings provide useful insights for policymakers, analysts, and investors."

The 2014 Renewable Energy Data Book compiles recently available statistics for the 2014 calendar year. Key insights include:

• Renewable electricity accounted for more than 50 percent of all new U.S. electricity capacity installations in 2014.

• Solar electricity installed capacity increased by more than 54 percent, or 5.5 gigawatts (GW), accounting for more than 48 percent of U.S. renewable electricity capacity installed in 2014.

• U.S. wind electricity generation increased by 8.3 percent in 2014. Wind electricity capacity grew by 7.8 percent (4.8 GW).

• U.S. electricity capacities of biomass, geothermal, and hydropower have remained relatively stable from 2000 to 2014.

• Worldwide, solar photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) are among the fastest growing renewable electricity technologies.  In 2014 alone, combined capacity increased by more than 28 percent globally.

The 2014 Renewable Energy Data Book is produced by NREL's Strategic Energy Analysis Center.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for the Energy Department by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

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