In recent times, the United States has been making big strides in switching to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. This shift is happening because people are worried about the environment, there are good economic opportunities, and technology is getting better. Two important laws, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), are helping the U.S. speed the solar installations.
In 2022, about 22% of the electricity in the U.S. came from renewable sources like wind and solar power, and even water. Additionally, the total capacity for generating electricity from renewables increased to about 30%. This means that America is using more clean energy to power their homes and businesses.
More and more people are realizing the importance of cleaner transportation, and they’re choosing cars like electric vehicles. In 2022, about 5.6% of new cars registered were electric, and by the first half of 2023, this number went up to 7.1%.
The Contribution of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
After the introduction of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reported a significant investment of over $120 billion in the country’s battery manufacturing and supply chain. Plans are underway for more than 200 new or bigger facilities focused on minerals, materials processing, and manufacturing. This move will create more than 75,000 job opportunities, making the U.S. workforce stronger.
Additionally, there was a boost in panel manufacturing in U.S. solar installations after the introduction of IRA and BIL. The DOE says there’s a planned investment of nearly $13 billion, and 94 new or expanded solar panel manufacturing plants have been announced. This could potentially create over 25,000 jobs in the country.
The United States is making huge progress in clean energy, especially in solar installation and energy storage, thanks to IRA and BIL. These laws are changing the way the U.S. looks at clean energy. The IRA and BIL have led to investments, over $120 billion, in the U.S. battery manufacturing and supply chain sector.
The solar sector in the U.S. is growing faster than other energy sources. The share of solar power in new power capacity additions has been steadily increasing, reaching an impressive 45% in 2022.
Battery energy storage is also booming, going from 3% in 2017 to 36% in the first half of 2023. Most of the battery storage is happening alongside solar and wind facilities. The U.S. will install a substantial 9.6 GW/26.4 GWh of utility-scale battery storage capacity in 2023.
In conclusion, the U.S. is at the forefront of an energy revolution. Solar power and energy storage are growing like never before, thanks to significant investments and increased installations. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, the U.S. is on track to achieve its clean energy goals, showing a strong commitment to a greener future.
