Renewable Energy Production and Use by State in 2023

Countries around the world are increasing renewable energy production to mitigate climate change. In the United States, renewable energy production has nearly tripled over the past decade, and the Biden administration has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030.

Image source: Getty Images.

However, progress on renewable energy varies from state to state. Some states get more than half their power from renewables, while others get only a few percent. Here are the latest statistics on renewable energy use by state, including how much they produce and energy industry goals for states that have them.

Key findings

Iowa uses the highest percentage of renewable energy, with 63% of its energy consumption coming from renewables.
Kentucky uses the lowest percentage of renewable energy, with less than 1% of its energy consumption coming from renewables.
Texas produces the most renewable energy (measured in megawatt-hours) of any state.
Several states have committed to using only carbon-free power over the next few decades.

Production by state

Renewable energy production by state

The table below shows the amount of renewable energy each state produced over the most recent one-year period on record at the time of writing (the fourth quarter of 2021 through the third quarter of 2022). It also shows the percentage of each state's total power that came from renewable energy sources.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022)
State	Total Power Produced by Renewable Energy Sources (thousand megawatt hours)	Percentage of Power Produced by Renewable Energy Sources
Alabama	4,063	2.7%
Alaska	180	2.7%
Arizona	8,858	8.5%
Arkansas	1,591	2.5%
California	69,488	34.7%
Colorado	19,481	33.8%
Connecticut	1,134	2.6%
Delaware	141	2.8%
Florida	15,261	6.0%
Georgia	12,441	9.9%
Hawaii	1,744	18.5%
Idaho	3,825	22.9%
Illinois	24,382	13.0%
Indiana	10,670	11.4%
Iowa	43,804	62.5%
Kansas	29,429	46.6%
Kentucky	468	0.7%
Louisiana	2,326	2.2%
Maine	4,967	42.2%
Maryland	1,565	4.1%
Massachusetts	3,140	15.0%
Michigan	11,876	10.2%
Minnesota	17,170	28.3%
Mississippi	1,800	2.7%
Missouri	7,711	9.8%
Montana	3,959	14.9%
Nebraska	11,998	29.6%
Nevada	13,091	31.2%
New Hampshire	1,491	8.4%
New Jersey	2,287	3.5%
New Mexico	16,078	40.5%
New York	8,170	6.5%
North Carolina	13,841	10.5%
North Dakota	16,754	37.2%
Ohio	4,532	3.3%
Oklahoma	37,694	44.5%
Oregon	11,427	18.1%
Pennsylvania	5,637	2.4%
Rhode Island	815	9.2%
South Carolina	4,551	4.6%
South Dakota	10,195	53.8%
Tennessee	1,355	1.7%
Texas	136,827	26.6%
Utah	5,048	12.7%
Vermont	1,058	50.5%
Virginia	8,174	9.0%
Washington	10,841	9.0%
West Virginia	1,946	3.4%
Wisconsin	3,740	6.1%
Wyoming	10,586	23.6%

Types of renewable energy

States also vary in the types of renewable energy they produce. For example, California's biggest renewable energy source is solar energy. Texas, on the other hand, is known for wind energy.

In the tables below, you'll also see "wood and wood-derived fuels," which are usually the byproducts of lumber and paper milling. "Other biomass" includes other plant-derived materials, including agricultural crops and waste, materials from municipal solid waste, animal manure, and human waste.

You may notice that we haven't included hydroelectric power in these tables, despite it being a notable renewable energy source that provides about 7% of the power in the United States. However, while hydro is renewable, there's debate over whether it's sustainable. Because of this and the fact that the Energy Information Administration lists hydro separately from other renewables, we've opted to omit it from these statistics.

Ranking states by renewable energy production

Next, let's take a closer look at every state, where they rank for renewable energy use, and their largest renewable energy sources. These sections will also include clean energy commitments based on the most recent information from the Clean Energy States Alliance.

How we ranked states

For the ranks mentioned in each state's section below, we looked at the percentage of the total power produced in each state by renewable sources. Even if a state produces a huge amount of renewable power, if that makes up a small proportion of the overall power it produces, it will rank below a state that produces less overall power with a higher percentage of renewables.

Alabama's renewable energy production

Alabama produced 4,063 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 2.7% of its total electricity, which was tied for 42nd among all 50 states.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable energy source	Total power produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wood and wood-derived fuels	3,148
Solar	871
Other biomass	44

Alaska's renewable energy production

Alaska produced 180 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 2.7% of its total electricity, which was tied for 42nd.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable energy source	Total power produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	138
Biomass	41

Arizona's renewable energy production

Arizona produced 8,858 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 8.5% of its total electricity, which ranked 31st.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	7,034
Wind	1,610
Wood and wood-derived fuel	48
Other biomass	5

Arkansas's renewable energy production

Arkansas produced 1,591 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 2.5% of its total electricity, which ranked 46th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wood and wood-derived fuel	844
Solar	686
Other biomass	60

California's renewable energy production

California produced 69,488 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 34.7% of its total electricity, which ranked ninth.

California has set a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	38,148
Wind	14,356
Geothermal	11,656
Wood and wood-derived fuel	2,871
Other biomass	2,459

Colorado's renewable energy production

Colorado produced 19,481 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 33.8% of its total electricity, which ranked 10th.

Colorado has made a pledge of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	16,960
Solar	2,350
Wood and wood-derived fuel	95
Other biomass	76

Connecticut's renewable energy production

Connecticut produced 1,134 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 2.6% of its total electricity, which ranked 45th.

Connecticut has set a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Other biomass	440
Solar	409
Wood and wood-derived fuel	197
Wind	12

Delaware's renewable energy production

Delaware produced 141 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 2.8% of its total electricity, which ranked 41st.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Biomass	71
Solar	64
Wind	4

Florida's renewable energy production

Florida produced 15,261 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 6.0% of its total electricity, which ranked 35th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	11,139
Wood and wood-derived fuel	2,107
Other biomass	2,015

Georgia's renewable energy production

Georgia produced 12,441 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 9.9% of its total electricity, which ranked 27th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	6,636
Wood and wood-derived fuel	5,489
Other biomass	318

Hawaii's renewable energy production

Hawaii produced 1,744 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 18.5% of its total electricity, which ranked 17th.

Hawaii has set a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	652
Solar	547
Other biomass	278
Geothermal	269

Idaho's renewable energy production

Idaho produced 3,825 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 22.9% of its total electricity, which ranked 16th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	2,730
Solar	516
Wood and wood-derived fuel	394
Other biomass	96
Geothermal	47

Illinois's renewable energy production

Illinois produced 24,382 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 13.0% of its total electricity, which ranked 21st.

Illinois has set a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	22,567
Solar	1,428
Biomass	388

Indiana's renewable energy production

Indiana produced 10,670 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 11.4% of its total electricity, which ranked 23rd.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	9,198
Solar	1,071
Biomass	403

Iowa's renewable energy production

Iowa produced 43,804 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 62.5% of its total electricity, which ranked first.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	43,253
Solar	342
Other biomass	205
Wood and wood-derived fuel	4

Kansas's renewable energy production

Kansas produced 29,429 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 46.6% of its total electricity, which ranked fourth.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	29,308
Solar	63
Biomass	58

Kentucky's renewable energy production

Kentucky produced 468 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 0.7% of its total electricity, which ranked 50th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wood and wood-derived fuel	309
Other biomass	110
Solar	48

Louisiana's renewable energy production

Louisiana produced 2,326 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 2.2% of its total electricity, which ranked 48th.

Louisiana has set a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wood and wood-derived fuel	2,069
Solar	172
Other biomass	85

Maine's renewable energy production

Maine produced 4,967 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 42.2% of its total electricity, which ranked sixth.

Maine has set a goal of 100% clean energy by 2050.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	2,681
Wood and wood-derived fuel	1,790
Solar	413
Other biomass	85

Maryland's renewable energy production

Maryland produced 1,565 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 4.1% of its total electricity, which ranked 37th.

Maryland has set a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	724
Wind	526
Other biomass	308
Wood and wood-derived fuel	7

Massachusetts's renewable energy production

Massachusetts produced 3,140 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 15.0% of its total electricity, which ranked 19th.

Massachusetts has set a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	1,917
Other biomass	923
Wind	218
Wood and wood-derived fuel	19

Michigan's renewable energy production

Michigan produced 11,876 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 10.2% of its total electricity, which ranked 26th.

Michigan has set a goal of economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	8,717
Wood and wood-derived fuel	1,543
Other biomass	814
Solar	801

Minnesota's renewable energy production

Minnesota produced 17,170 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 28.3% of its total electricity, which ranked 13th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	13,971
Solar	1,941
Wood and wood-derived fuel	944
Other biomass	316

Mississippi's renewable energy production

Mississippi produced 1,800 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 2.7% of its total electricity, which tied for 42nd.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wood and wood-derived fuel	1,302
Solar	487
Other biomass	3

Missouri's renewable energy production

Missouri produced 7,711 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 9.8% of its total electricity, which ranked 27th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	7,442
Solar	153
Other biomass	75
Wood and wood-derived fuel	40

Montana's renewable energy production

Montana produced 3,959 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 14.9% of its total electricity, which ranked 20th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	3,897
Solar	32
Wood and wood-derived fuel	20
Other biomass	3

Nebraska's renewable energy production

Nebraska produced 11,998 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 29.6% of its total electricity, which ranked 12th.

Nebraska is the only state that's served solely by publicly owned utilities. There are three public utilities in Nebraska, and they've all set a goal of net-zero carbon emissions from generation resources. The Nebraska Public Power District and the Omaha Public Power District plan to accomplish this goal by 2050, and the Lincoln Public Power District plans to do it by 2040.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	11,844
Biomass	89
Solar	64

Nevada's renewable energy production

Nevada produced 13,091 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 31.2% of its total electricity, which ranked 11th.

Nevada has set a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	8,620
Geothermal	4,094
Wind	325
Biomass	51

New Hampshire's renewable energy production

New Hampshire produced 1,491 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 8.4% of its total electricity, which ranked 32nd.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wood and wood-derived fuel	844
Wind	494
Other biomass	149
Solar	1

New Jersey's renewable energy production

New Jersey produced 2,287 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 3.5% of its total electricity, which ranked 38th.

New Jersey has set a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	1,584
Biomass	682
Wind	22

New Mexico's renewable energy production

New Mexico produced 16,078 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 40.5% of its total electricity, which ranked seventh.

New Mexico has set a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	14,062
Solar	1,944
Geothermal	47
Biomass	25

New York's renewable energy production

New York produced 8,170 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 6.5% of its total electricity, which ranked 33rd.

New York has set a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	4,628
Solar	1,676
Other biomass	1,453
Wood and wood-derived fuel	413

North Carolina's renewable energy production

North Carolina produced 13,841 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 10.5% of its total electricity, which ranked 24th.

North Carolina has set a goal of carbon neutrality in the electricity sector by 2050.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	11,395
Wood and wood-derived fuel	1,403
Wind	559
Other biomass	487

North Dakota's renewable energy production

North Dakota produced 16,754 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 37.2% of its total electricity, which ranked eighth.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	16,750

Ohio's renewable energy production

Ohio produced 4,532 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 3.3% of its total electricity, which ranked 40th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	3,045
Solar	912
Other biomass	353
Wood and wood-derived fuel	224

Oklahoma's renewable energy production

Oklahoma produced 37,694 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 44.5% of its total electricity, which ranked fifth.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	37,271
Wood and wood-derived fuel	253
Other biomass	86
Solar	83

Oregon's renewable energy production

Oregon produced 11,427 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 18.1% of its total electricity, which ranked 18th.

Oregon has set a goal to have greenhouse gas emissions reduced 100% below baseline emissions by 2040.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	8,654
Solar	1,544
Wood and wood-derived fuel	728
Other biomass	310
Geothermal	191

Pennsylvania's renewable energy production

Pennsylvania produced 5,637 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 2.4% of its total electricity, which ranked 47th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	3,746
Other biomass	1,259
Wood and wood-derived fuel	388
Solar	244

Rhode Island's renewable energy production

Rhode Island produced 815 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 9.2% of its total electricity, which ranked 28th.

Rhode Island has set a goal of 100% renewable energy electricity by 2033.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	393
Biomass	225
Wind	199

South Carolina's renewable energy production

South Carolina produced 4,551 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 4.6% of its total electricity, which ranked 36th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	2,374
Wood and wood-derived fuel	2,073
Other biomass	102

South Dakota's renewable energy production

South Dakota produced 10,195 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 53.8% of its total electricity, which ranked second.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	10,172
Wood and wood-derived fuel	6

Tennessee's renewable energy production

Tennessee produced 1,355 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 1.7% of its total electricity, which ranked 49th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wood and wood-derived fuel	634
Solar	612
Other biomass	80

Texas's renewable energy production

Texas produced 136,827 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 26.6% of its total electricity, which ranked 14th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	113,844
Solar	21,549
Wood and wood-derived fuel	1,094
Other biomass	340

Utah's renewable energy production

Utah produced 5,048 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 12.7% of its total electricity, which ranked 22nd.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	3,739
Wind	781
Geothermal	451
Biomass	76

Vermont's renewable energy production

Vermont produced 1,058 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 50.5% of its total electricity, which ranked third.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	400
Wood and wood-derived fuel	243
Solar	199
Other biomass	61

Virginia's renewable energy production

Virginia produced 8,174 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 9.0% of its total electricity, which tied for 29th.

Virginia requires zero-carbon utilities by 2050.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Solar	4,563
Wood and wood-derived fuel	2,578
Other biomass	981
Wind	52

Washington's renewable energy production

Washington produced 10,841 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 9.0% of its total electricity, which tied for 29th.

Washington requires 100% zero-emissions electricity by 2045.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	9,362
Wood and wood-derived fuel	1,310
Other biomass	111
Solar	60

West Virginia's renewable energy production

West Virginia produced 1,946 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 3.4% of its total electricity, which ranked 39th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	1,937
Biomass	3

Wisconsin's renewable energy production

Wisconsin produced 3,740 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 6.1% of its total electricity, which ranked 34th.

Wisconsin has set a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	1,782
Wood and wood-derived fuel	808
Solar	751
Other biomass	398

Wyoming's renewable energy production

Wyoming produced 10,586 thousand megawatt hours of electricity using renewable energy sources. That made up 23.6% of its total electricity, which ranked 15th.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022).
Renewable Energy Source	Total Power Produced (thousand megawatt hours)
Wind	10,401
Solar	184

Renewables are on the rise

While production levels vary from state to state, as a whole, the U.S. is getting more of its energy from renewable sources. That trend should continue since the Inflation Reduction Act provides $369 billion for clean energy investments. There are also more states setting their own clean energy goals, so production of renewable energy should continue to increase going forward.