NEW REPORT: Record-Breaking Second Quarter for US Clean Energy in Q2 2024

Press Release

Sep 4 2024

ACP’s newest Market Report finds that second quarter clean power additions in 2024 set the stage for a record year, with utility-scale clean energy now powering the equivalent of nearly 70 million homes.

 • Clean power additions set stage for record year

• U.S. energy storage exceeds 20 GW milestone

• Texas now top solar state

• Clean energy powers equivalent of nearly 70 million homes

WASHINGTON, September 5, 2024 – The American Clean Power Association (ACP) today released its Clean Power Quarterly Market Report | Q2 2024, showcasing extraordinary growth and milestones across the U.S. clean power landscape. In a record-breaking second quarter, U.S. developers added 11 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale clean power capacity, marking a 91% increase from Q2 2023.  

The strong quarter brought year-to-date installations up to 19 GW, more than double the five-year average for H1 installations. With the second half of the year typically much stronger than the first half for clean power additions, the stage is set for a second consecutive record-breaking year in 2024. 

“Clean energy is answering the call to unleash more American energy, with another record quarter of deployment. While all clean energy technologies are expanding their market share, energy storage is scaling at a stunning speed and has surpassed 20 GW of operating capacity,” said ACP CEO Jason Grumet. “With rapidly growing demand and the need to make significant strides in decarbonizing our economy, the stakes are high. Our recent progress is encouraging, but we are not moving fast enough. ACP is committed to working with all stakeholders and policymakers to accelerate progress toward a secure, reliable, and clean energy future.”  

Major Moments 

  • Record Second Quarter: Developers added more than 11 GW of new utility-scale solar, storage, and wind capacity in the second quarter, 91% more than what was installed during the same period in 2023. 
  • Texas Takes the Lead: For the first time, Texas has surpassed California as the nation’s leading state for utility-scale solar capacity. With 1,656 MW added this quarter, Texas now boasts of 21,932 MW of operating solar power. 
  • Energy Storage Surges Past Milestones: The U.S. energy storage sector celebrated surpassing 20 GW of total operational capacity, adding 2.9 GW this quarter to reach a total of 21.6 GW. 
  • Robust Clean Power Pipeline: The annual growth in the clean power pipeline increased by 13% from the previous year, with significant expansions expected in offshore wind in the coming months. 
  • Onshore Wind Recovery: At mid-2024, 5.5 GW more onshore wind projects were under construction than at the same point in 2023, bringing the total volume under construction up to more than 14 GW.  
  • Historic Volume of OSW Under Construction: Q2 2024 set a record for the most offshore wind capacity under construction with more than 4 GW of capacity. 

Looking Forward 

As the U.S. clean power sector heads into the second half of 2024, the data indicates potential for another record-setting year. With over 283 GW of clean power now operational—enough to power nearly 70 million homes—the industry continues to play a crucial role in modernizing our electricity generation. 

A scaled-down version of the report is available to the public, with ACP membership granting access to the full Clean Power Quarterly Market Report | Q2 2024.