Over the past decade, the United States has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its energy landscape. The combined output from solar, wind, and geothermal sources has more than tripled, marking a significant shift towards cleaner energy.

In 2024 alone, solar energy production surged by 27% compared to the previous year, generating enough electricity to power 28 million homes. Similarly, wind energy production more than doubled over the decade, supplying power to approximately 42 million homes in 2024.

This rapid growth in renewable energy has contributed to a notable decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing the nation’s energy resilience and improving public health by reducing pollution-related ailments.

What Has Influenced This Growth?

Several factors have propelled the expansion of renewable energy in the U.S.:

• Technological Advancements: Innovations have led to more efficient and cost-effective renewable energy technologies, making them increasingly competitive with traditional fossil fuels.
• Policy Support: Government incentives, such as tax credits and renewable portfolio standards, have encouraged investment in renewable energy projects across various states.
• Private Sector Investment: Corporations and utilities have made significant commitments to renewable energy procurement, driving demand and development in the sector.
• Public Awareness: Growing concern over climate change and environmental sustainability has increased public support for clean energy initiatives.

These combined efforts have created a conducive environment for the rapid growth of renewable energy across the country.

The Benefits Of Renewable Energy Growth

The expansion of renewable energy in the U.S. has yielded numerous benefits:

• Environmental Impact: The shift to renewables has significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions, with a reported decrease of 900 million metric tons between 2019 and 2022. This reduction is equivalent to removing 71 million cars from the roads annually: The Guardian
• Public Health: Lower emissions of pollutants have led to improved air quality, preventing health issues.
• Economic Growth: The renewable energy sector has become a major job creator, employing approximately 3.5 million Americans. Jobs in this sector grew at more than twice the rate of the overall U.S. labor market in 2023: The Department of Energy’s Energy.gov+1The Department of Energy’s Energy.gov+1
• Energy Security: Diversifying the energy mix with renewables enhances the resilience of the power grid, reducing dependence on imported fuels and mitigating the impact of energy price volatility.

In summary, the tripling of renewable energy capacity in the U.S. over the past decade has not only advanced environmental goals but also bolstered public health, economic development, and energy security.

Texas is leading the charge in America’s renewable energy boom, outpacing other states in wind, solar, and energy storage. 

According to Reuters, Texas now tops the U.S. in both renewable energy generation and battery storage capacity. That’s a serious milestone!

So, what’s fueling this green surge? A mix of state-level independence, abundant land and sunshine, a growing economy, and—perhaps most importantly—a business-friendly approach to renewable investment.

How Is Texas Leading In Renewable Energy?

Texas is quietly (or not-so-quietly) stealing the spotlight when it comes to raw output. The Lone Star State is home to more wind power than any other state and is rapidly scaling up solar production. In fact, for 17 years and counting, Texas generates the most wind energy production in the United States.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Texas maintained its position as the top-ranked state for new solar capacity installed for the second consecutive year in 2024. This was with 11.6 GWdc, with California narrowly beating Florida for the second position.

In addition to solar generation, Texas is building massive battery storage facilities to help stabilize the grid during peak demand times or outages. This is crucial in a state with a famously independent electrical grid and a population that continues to grow fast.

What Does This Mean For Texas?

This green energy gold rush is a win on several fronts:

• Economic growth: Renewable projects are creating jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
• Energy resilience: A diverse energy mix and more storage mean fewer grid disruptions.
• Environmental impact: More renewables mean lower carbon emissions and cleaner air.

But with great solar comes great responsibility. As solar farms grow across Texas, so does the long-term challenge of managing solar panel waste. Panels don’t last forever, and with thousands being installed every day, it’s vital to plan for responsible recycling when they reach the end of their lifecycle.

Solar Panel Recycling Services In Texas

That’s where PV Solar Recycling comes in. As Texas ramps up solar production, we’re helping businesses manage the full lifecycle of their solar investments—collecting, transporting, and recycling end-of-life panels to keep hazardous materials out of landfills and valuable materials in circulation.

We work with solar farms, commercial installers, EPCs, and various other businesses across Texas and beyond. Our team ensures compliance with environmental regulations while supporting a truly circular economy.

Whether you’re replacing outdated panels or decommissioning a large array, our team makes the recycling process simple, transparent, and sustainable. Get in touch with us today to book your solar panel recycling collection.

A recent study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) highlights the significant potential of installing floating solar panels on federally managed reservoirs across the United States. 

By analyzing factors such as water depth and temperature, researchers have identified that these bodies of water could support up to 77,000 megawatts of solar capacity.

This capacity translates to approximately 1,476 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power around 100 million homes. While this represents the maximum technical potential, even harnessing a fraction of this capacity could substantially contribute to the nation’s renewable energy objectives.

Floating solar installations offer several advantages. They generate electricity without occupying valuable land resources and can reduce water evaporation by shading the reservoir surface. Despite these benefits, the U.S. currently lacks large-scale floating solar projects.

The study also notes that certain reservoirs, particularly those used for hydropower, could be ideal candidates for floating solar systems. Combining solar and hydropower could provide a more resilient and reliable energy supply, especially during periods of drought when water levels are low.

How Do Floating Solar Panels Operate?

Floating solar panels—also known as floating photovoltaic systems (FPV)—operate much like traditional solar panels but are mounted on platforms that float on bodies of water, such as reservoirs, lakes, or ponds. Here’s how they work:

1. Floating Structure

The solar panels are installed on buoyant platforms made from durable, water-resistant materials (typically high-density polyethylene). These floats keep the panels above water while maintaining stability in varying weather conditions.

2. Photovoltaic Technology

The panels themselves use standard photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight to generate power. The key difference is their environment—they’re installed over water instead of rooftops or land.

3. Anchoring and Mooring

To keep the floating array in place, the structure is anchored to the bottom of the water body or moored to the shoreline. This prevents drifting due to wind or water movement.

4. Electrical Cabling

Underwater or floating cables transmit the electricity produced to inverters onshore. From there, the power is either fed into the grid, stored in solar battery storage, or used on-site.

5. Cooling Effect for Efficiency

Water has a natural cooling effect, which helps lower the temperature of the panels. This can improve solar panel efficiency, as panels tend to produce more power at lower temperatures.

6. Integration With Other Systems

Floating solar is often paired with hydropower systems or used on man-made reservoirs near power plants. This setup allows for shared infrastructure and helps in balancing electricity generation.

Future Research For Floating Solar Farms

Future research aims to assess the impact of floating solar installations on local ecosystems and recreational activities. By addressing these considerations, floating solar technology could play a pivotal role in advancing the United States’ transition to sustainable energy sources.