Special Report

States Producing the Most Renewable Energy

huangyifei / Getty Images

Demand for energy has skyrocketed in recent decades in the United States, driving up total electricity production by well over 700% since 1950.

Today, over half of all electricity in the United States is generated from coal and natural gas — resources that are not only finite, but also environmentally harmful when burned and often also when extracted. As a result, the use of cleaner, renewable energy sources like hydro, wind, and solar, is becoming more common. Renewable energy accounted for 17.0% of the national energy mix in 2017, up from 8.5% a decade prior.

The use of renewable energy is not uniform across all states, however. Using data from the Energy Information Administration, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states producing the most renewable energy. We ranked all states based on the share of total electricity production that came from renewable sources. Renewable sources is a broad EIA classification comprising geothermal, conventional hydroelectric, solar, biomass, wind, and wood and wood-derived fuels.

While many Americans may be used to seeing energy use measured in kilowatt hours on their monthly bill, on an industrial scale, electricity production is measured in megawatt hours (MWh), which is equal to 1,000 kilowatt hours, or 1 million watts of electrical power used per hour. For reference, the typical American home uses about 10.8 MWh per year.

Use of renewable energy is one way to measure how environmentally friendly each states’s energy policies are, as burning fossil fuels drives up air pollution levels. These are America’s least eco-friendly states — and none of the top 10 states on this list is among them.

In only six states, over half of energy comes from renewable sources. Nationwide, and in 18 states, hydropower accounts for the largest share of renewable energy production. In another 18 states, wind produces more renewable energy than any other source. In the remaining 14 states, the largest source of renewable energy is either wood, solar, or biomass like agricultural products, food waste, and manure.

In the state deriving the largest share of power from renewable sources, clean energy production has become an integral part of the overall economy. In fact, solar panel installation is more concentrated in that state than any other profession, making it the most iconic job in the state. These are the most iconic jobs in every state.

Click here to see the states producing the most renewable energy.

BrianEKushner / Getty Images

50. Delaware
> Electricity from renewables: 1.6% (118,065 MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 7.5 million MWh (3rd lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Biomass (other than wood) (62,815 MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 145.4% (20th highest)

See all stories featuring: Delaware

[in-text-ad]

pabradyphoto / Getty Images

49. Ohio
> Electricity from renewables: 2.3% (2.7 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 119.6 million MWh (10th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (1.6 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 219.1% (14th highest)

See all stories featuring: Ohio

Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images

48. New Jersey
> Electricity from renewables: 2.5% (1.9 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 75.6 million MWh (20th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Biomass (other than wood) (928,777 MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 118.7% (24th highest)

See all stories featuring: New Jersey

carcar797 / Getty Images

47. Florida
> Electricity from renewables: 2.6% (6.1 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 238.4 million MWh (2nd highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Biomass (other than wood) (2.8 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 36.9% (11th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Florida

[in-text-ad-2]

jferrer / Getty Images

46. Mississippi
> Electricity from renewables: 2.6% (1.6 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 59.7 million MWh (24th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wood and wood derived fuels (1.5 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 4.7% (3rd lowest)

See all stories featuring: Mississippi

CloserToInfinity / Getty Images

45. Connecticut
> Electricity from renewables: 3.4% (1.2 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 34.6 million MWh (14th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Biomass (other than wood) (584,313 MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 7.7% (5th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Connecticut

[in-text-ad]

Jupiterimages / Getty Images

44. Louisiana
> Electricity from renewables: 3.8% (3.7 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 97.7 million MWh (15th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wood and wood derived fuels (2.7 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: -3.4% (2nd lowest)

See all stories featuring: Louisiana

underworld111 / Getty Images

43. Missouri
> Electricity from renewables: 4.0% (3.4 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 84.6 million MWh (18th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (2.0 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 176.8% (16th highest)

See all stories featuring: Missouri

catnap72 / Getty Images

42. Pennsylvania
> Electricity from renewables: 4.3% (9.2 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 213.6 million MWh (3rd highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (3.6 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 92.8% (25th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania

[in-text-ad-2]

roc8jas / Getty Images

41. West Virginia
> Electricity from renewables: 4.6% (3.3 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 73.4 million MWh (22nd highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (1.7 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 134.9% (22nd highest)

See all stories featuring: West Virginia

skiserge1 / Getty Images

40. South Carolina
> Electricity from renewables: 4.6% (4.3 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 93.1 million MWh (16th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wood and wood derived fuels (2.2 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 21.5% (7th lowest)

See all stories featuring: South Carolina

[in-text-ad]

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

39. Rhode Island
> Electricity from renewables: 4.8% (368,341 MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 7.6 million MWh (4th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Biomass (other than wood) (202,984 MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 131.5% (23rd highest)

See all stories featuring: Rhode Island

PumpkinSky / Wikimedia Commons

38. Virginia
> Electricity from renewables: 5.8% (5.2 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 90.4 million MWh (17th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wood and wood derived fuels (2.9 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 37.4% (12th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Virginia

alexeys / Getty Images

37. Indiana
> Electricity from renewables: 6.2% (6.1 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 98.9 million MWh (14th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (5.1 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 802.3% (3rd highest)

See all stories featuring: Indiana

[in-text-ad-2]

bill_alden / Flickr

36. Kentucky
> Electricity from renewables: 6.9% (5.0 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 73.2 million MWh (23rd highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (4.5 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 135.2% (21st highest)

See all stories featuring: Kentucky

Chimperil59 / Getty Images

35. Illinois
> Electricity from renewables: 7.0% (12.9 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 183.6 million MWh (5th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (12.3 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 798.1% (4th highest)

See all stories featuring: Illinois

[in-text-ad]

dlewis33 / Getty Images

34. Arkansas
> Electricity from renewables: 7.3% (4.4 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 60.8 million MWh (25th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (2.9 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: -9.3% (the lowest)

See all stories featuring: Arkansas

ansley / Getty Images

33. Georgia
> Electricity from renewables: 7.4% (9.4 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 127.5 million MWh (9th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wood and wood derived fuels (4.7 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 66.6% (21st lowest)

See all stories featuring: Georgia

kruwt / Getty Images

32. Michigan
> Electricity from renewables: 8.4% (9.4 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 112.3 million MWh (12th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (5.2 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 155.7% (19th highest)

See all stories featuring: Michigan

[in-text-ad-2]

jferrer / Getty Images

31. Wisconsin
> Electricity from renewables: 8.9% (5.8 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 65.1 million MWh (24th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (2.7 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 103.1% (25th highest)

See all stories featuring: Wisconsin

gatorinsc / Getty Images

30. Alabama
> Electricity from renewables: 9.2% (12.8 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 140.0 million MWh (6th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (9.2 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 61.8% (18th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Alabama

[in-text-ad]

TonyLMoorePhoto / Getty Images

29. North Carolina
> Electricity from renewables: 9.5% (12.2 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 128.5 million MWh (7th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Solar thermal and photovoltaic (5.1 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 162.3% (18th highest)

See all stories featuring: North Carolina

DavidByronKeener / Getty Images

28. Maryland
> Electricity from renewables: 9.8% (3.3 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 34.1 million MWh (13th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (2.0 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 47.6% (16th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Maryland

SkyF / Getty Images

27. Massachusetts
> Electricity from renewables: 10.0% (3.2 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 32.2 million MWh (11th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (1.0 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 58.0% (17th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Massachusetts

[in-text-ad-2]

milehightraveler / Getty Images

26. Wyoming
> Electricity from renewables: 11.6% (5.4 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 46.7 million MWh (19th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (4.3 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 266.8% (11th highest)

See all stories featuring: Wyoming

picturist / Getty Images

25. Arizona
> Electricity from renewables: 11.8% (12.5 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 105.9 million MWh (13th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (6.8 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 88.5% (23rd lowest)

See all stories featuring: Arizona

[in-text-ad]

Jeffrey Schreier / Getty Images

24. Tennessee
> Electricity from renewables: 12.4% (9.8 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 79.0 million MWh (19th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (8.7 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 65.4% (20th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Tennessee

Robert Ingelhart / Getty Images

23. Utah
> Electricity from renewables: 13.2% (4.9 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 37.4 million MWh (16th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Solar thermal and photovoltaic (2.2 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 570.8% (6th highest)

See all stories featuring: Utah

7Michael / Getty Images

22. Hawaii
> Electricity from renewables: 14.1% (1.4 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 9.8 million MWh (5th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (532,055 MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 64.1% (19th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Hawaii

[in-text-ad-2]

Aneese / Getty Images

21. Texas
> Electricity from renewables: 15.9% (71.9 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 452.8 million MWh (the highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (67.1 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 502.5% (7th highest)

See all stories featuring: Texas

Joesboy / Getty Images

20. New Mexico
> Electricity from renewables: 17.9% (6.0 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 33.6 million MWh (12th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (4.6 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 258.4% (12th highest)

See all stories featuring: New Mexico

[in-text-ad]

franckreporter / Getty Images

19. Nebraska
> Electricity from renewables: 18.9% (6.7 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 35.4 million MWh (15th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (5.1 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 968.9% (2nd highest)

See all stories featuring: Nebraska

Holcy / Getty Images

18. New Hampshire
> Electricity from renewables: 19.7% (3.4 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 17.4 million MWh (9th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wood and wood derived fuels (1.5 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 43.8% (14th lowest)

See all stories featuring: New Hampshire

Joshua Hicks / Getty Images

17. Colorado
> Electricity from renewables: 22.9% (12.3 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 53.8 million MWh (21st lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (9.3 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 303.8% (10th highest)

See all stories featuring: Colorado

[in-text-ad-2]

Mlenny / Getty Images

16. Nevada
> Electricity from renewables: 25.3% (9.7 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 38.2 million MWh (17th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Solar thermal and photovoltaic (4.1 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 193.0% (15th highest)

See all stories featuring: Nevada

Willard / Getty Images

15. Minnesota
> Electricity from renewables: 25.4% (14.9 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 58.7 million MWh (23rd lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (11.1 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 225.4% (13th highest)

See all stories featuring: Minnesota

[in-text-ad]

Nvvchar / Wikimedia Commons

14. Alaska
> Electricity from renewables: 28.1% (1.8 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 6.5 million MWh (2nd lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (1.6 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 40.4% (13th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Alaska

ideeone / Getty Images

13. New York
> Electricity from renewables: 28.7% (36.7 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 128.1 million MWh (8th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (30.1 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 31.1% (9th lowest)

See all stories featuring: New York

Chimperil59 / Getty Images

12. North Dakota
> Electricity from renewables: 33.6% (13.9 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 41.5 million MWh (18th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (11.4 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 618.9% (5th highest)

See all stories featuring: North Dakota

[in-text-ad-2]

John Kirk / Getty Images

11. Oklahoma
> Electricity from renewables: 35.2% (26.0 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 73.7 million MWh (21st highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (23.6 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 399.8% (9th highest)

See all stories featuring: Oklahoma

peeterv / Getty Images

10. Kansas
> Electricity from renewables: 36.7% (18.7 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 50.9 million MWh (20th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (18.6 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 1,507% (the highest)

See all stories featuring: Kansas

[in-text-ad]

franckreporter / Getty Images

9. Iowa
> Electricity from renewables: 39.1% (22.6 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 57.9 million MWh (22nd lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Wind (21.4 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 484.5% (8th highest)

See all stories featuring: Iowa

KeithSzafranski / Getty Images

8. Montana
> Electricity from renewables: 46.5% (13.1 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 28.2 million MWh (10th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (10.9 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 31.7% (10th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Montana

PatrickCivello / Getty Images

7. California
> Electricity from renewables: 47.0% (96.9 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 206.1 million MWh (4th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (42.4 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 85.7% (22nd lowest)

See all stories featuring: California

[in-text-ad-2]

4nadia / Getty Images

6. Oregon
> Electricity from renewables: 73.1% (45.9 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 62.7 million MWh (25th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (38.3 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 28.1% (8th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Oregon

digimages1 / Flickr

5. Maine
> Electricity from renewables: 74.8% (8.4 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 11.3 million MWh (7th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (3.4 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 6.1% (4th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Maine

[in-text-ad]

PatrickZiegler / Getty Images

4. South Dakota
> Electricity from renewables: 75.1% (8.2 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 10.9 million MWh (6th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (5.3 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 167.9% (17th highest)

See all stories featuring: South Dakota

cweimer4 / Getty Images

3. Washington
> Electricity from renewables: 78.5% (91.0 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 115.9 million MWh (11th highest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (82.2 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 10.2% (6th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Washington

Terryfic3D / Getty Images

2. Idaho
> Electricity from renewables: 81.8% (14.2 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 17.4 million MWh (8th lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (10.7 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 47.0% (15th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Idaho

[in-text-ad-2]

tim509 / Getty Images

1. Vermont
> Electricity from renewables: 99.6% (2.1 million MWh)
> Total electricity generation: 2.1 million MWh (the lowest)
> Largest renewable energy source: Hydroelectric (1.3 million MWh)
> 10 yr. renewable energy growth: 92.1% (24th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Vermont

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.