States Producing the Most Renewable Energy

Special Report

Published: July 24, 2019 3:37 pm

Last Updated: February 17, 2020 2:03 pm

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.

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)

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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

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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

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

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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

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)

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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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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)

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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)

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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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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ALSO READ: The States With the Best and Worst Economies

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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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)

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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

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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

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