News Release NR-0315

January 20, 2015

The newly released 2013 Renewable Energy Data Book illustrates United States and global energy statistics, including renewable electricity generation, renewable energy development, clean energy investments, and technology-specific data and trends. The Data Book is produced and published annually by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on behalf of the Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

"The 2013 Renewable Energy Data Book is an important resource for policymakers, analysts, and investors worldwide," NREL Energy Analyst Sean Esterly said. "Renewable energy trends are displayed in an accessible format for a variety of audiences."

The 2013 Renewable Energy Data Book compiles recently available statistics for the 2013 calendar year. Key findings include:

• Renewable electricity, including hydropower and biopower, grew to nearly 15 percent of total installed capacity and 13 percent of total electricity generation in the United States in 2013.

• In 2013, renewable electricity accounted for more than 61 percent of all new electricity capacity installations in the United States.

• In 2013 in the United States, solar electricity was the fastest growing electricity generation technology, with cumulative installed capacity increasing by nearly 66 percent from the previous year.

• Renewable sources accounted for 23 percent of all electricity generation worldwide in 2013.

The 2013 Renewable Energy Data Book is produced by NREL's Strategic Energy Analysis Center.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for the Energy Department by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

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