United States baseline electric power generation capacity by fuel 2007-2030

Source:  Palmer, Karen; Sweeney, Richard; and Allaire, Maura (Resources for the Future) Modeling Policies to Promote Renewable and Low Carbon Sources of Electricity.  For more information about the baseline case, access the report here.

This report is one of a set of reports commissioned by the National Energy Policy Institute and Resources for the Future.  The full set of reports , including the final report that they support (Toward a New Energy Policy:  Assessing the Options) is available here.

What states have the most installed solar photovoltaic (PV) generating capacity?

California continued to dominate the market for installed solar PV generating capacity, with nearly 180 MW installed in 2008, bringing cumulative installations to 530 MW or 67% of the U.S. market. New Jersey followed with 23 MW installed in 2008, bringing cumulative capacity to 70 MW or 9% of the U.S. market.

Source:  NREL

Trends in United States non-hydro renewable electric power generation 1995-2008

Source:  Palmer, Karen; Sweeney, Richard; and Allaire, Maura (Resources for the Future) Modeling Policies to Promote Renewable and Low Carbon Sources of Electricity.  Access the report here.

This report is one of a set of reports commissioned by the National Energy Policy Institute and Resources for the Future.  The full set of reports , including the final report that they support (Toward a New Energy Policy:  Assessing the Options) is available here.

How much solar photovoltaic (PV) generating capacity exists in the United States?

The United States installed 0.34 gigawatts (GW) of PV capacity in 2008, a 63% increase over the 0.21 GW installed in 2007. The 2008 addition brought U.S. cumulative installed PV capacity to 1.1 GW.

Source:  NREL

United States non-hydro renewable electric power generation in 2008

Source:  Palmer, Karen; Sweeney, Richard; and Allaire, Maura (Resources for the Future) Modeling Policies to Promote Renewable and Low Carbon Sources of Electricity.  Access the report here.

This report is one of a set of reports commissioned by the National Energy Policy Institute and Resources for the Future.  The full set of reports , including the final report that they support (Toward a New Energy Policy:  Assessing the Options) is available here.

How prevalent are geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) in the United States residential heating and cooling market?

According to ClimateMaster (one of the four largest U.S. manufacturers), GHPs were installed in 1 out of every 38 new U.S. homes in 2008, which represents a 2.6% market share.

Source:  DOE EERE 2008 Geothermal Technologies Market Report

States that offer rebate programs for renewables 2010

Source:  DSIRE.ORG

What is the near-term impact on oil production of the BP Macondo well blow-out and resulting drilling moratorium and potential new regulations?

The ultimate effect on Gulf production is uncertain, but the IEA estimates that lost production due to drilling delays will total 60,000 barrels per day in 2010 and 100,000 barrels per day in 2011.

Source:  Dallas Federal Reserve Quarterly Energy Update, Third Quarter 2010

States that have Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) policies 2010

Source:  DSIRE.ORG

What impact would there be if energy efficient lighting were widely used?

If every American home replaced just one light with a light that’s earned the ENERGY STAR, it would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save about $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars.

Source:  www.energystar.gov