July 2024 Solar Energy Generation by State Report

United States’ percentage of electricity generated from solar energy experienced a decent increase from March to April, going up 17.8% nationwide. 

The following table ranks the best and worst states for solar energy production (shown in thousand megawatt-hours) in March and April, number 1 represents the best state for solar energy production. The table also highlights the solar energy generation percentage change from month to month. Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and North Dakota did not report solar energy production in March.

Solar energy by state is just one component of electricity generation. States produce power from a variety of sources, including solar energy. Other common energy sources include coal, natural gas, nuclear, and wind power. Some states may not generate as much electricity as others, but they do produce a higher percentage of solar energy than other power sources.

Nationally, solar accounted for about 8.7% of the electricity produced in April. California is the top state in this list, with about 46.8% of its electricity coming from solar generation. Following are the states that produced the largest percentage of their power from solar energy:

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• Electricity rates by state

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Solar generation FAQS

How is solar energy measured?

Solar energy production is measured in megawatt-hours. One megawatt-hour equals 1,000 kilowatt-hours, which are used to measure residential energy use on electricity bills.

Why is solar becoming more popular?

The cost of residential solar panels has fallen by 40% in the last decade, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Decreasing prices combined with federal and state incentives have led to an increase in the popularity of home solar panels. Federal, state, and local governments have also set varying renewable energy goals, encouraging power plants to invest in sources like solar energy.

How do solar panels work?

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity that we use to power our homes. To do this, the panel modules capture energy from the sun and turn it into direct current (DC) energy. Solar arrays have an inverter, which converts the DC energy into alternating current (AC) energy — the type of electricity that powers your home. If you keep your solar panel system connected to the power grid, you can also pull electricity from the grid when your system isn’t producing energy.