Solar And Wind Dominate May US Energy Installations

New figures show U.S. installations of solar and wind power smashed conventional energy sources including coal and oil during the month of May, according to the nation’s top energy regulator.
  
An energy infrastructure report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reveals utility-scale solar and wind power added 359MW of new energy capacity during May, or 88 percent of total capacity; while coal, oil and nuclear stalled entirely, adding exactly zero percent.
  
But while renewables were the winner last month, natural gas remains the biggest contributor so far this year. Natural gas trumped all other sources of energy combined, adding 49 percent of total capacity, or 1,437MW for a combined total of 3,136MW of new energy infrastructure. 
   
Solar power trailed gas for on-year figures, adding 907MW, or 29 percent (Note: the FERC report does not include capacity from rooftop solar energy systems; only utility-scale plants are accounted for). Wind energy contributed 678MW (22 percent).
  
Although natural gas dominates the American energy landscape, just one new project came online in May, while a glut of renewable energy projects became operational.
 
They include:
  
Macho Springs LLC’s 48.5 MW Macho Springs Energy solar project in Luna County, NM is online. The power generated is sold to El Paso Electric Company under long-term contract.
 
Western Massachusetts Electric Co’s 4 MW Indian Orchard Solar Facility project in Hampden County, MA is online.
 
Prairie Breeze Wind Energy LLC’s 201 MW Prairie Breeze Wind Energy Farm in Antelope, Boone, and Madison Counties, NE is online. The power generated is sold to Omaha Public Power District under long-term contract.
   

 
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