By Blake Jackson
While wind generation dipped slightly in 2023, the good news is that solar energy is on the rise, particularly in Missouri. A new report by Climate Central highlights this positive trend.
Missouri's solar power generation grew by an impressive 32% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This surpasses Illinois' 24% increase, indicating an accelerating pace of solar adoption in Missouri.
"It's never too late to jump in and boost solar production," said Jen Brady, a Climate Central analyst. Missouri's rapid growth is a testament to this.
Interestingly, most of Missouri's solar boom is driven by small-scale projects like rooftop and community solar installations. This surpasses initial expectations, according to Brady.
However, things are set to change with Ameren Missouri planning large-scale solar farms. Three such projects, approved in March 2024, will generate a combined 400 megawatts of power, expected to be operational by 2025-2026.
Despite the positive solar trend, Illinois remains ahead in total wind and solar energy production. In 2023, Illinois generated over 25,500 gigawatt-hours compared to Missouri's 7,700 gigawatt-hours.
Nationally, wind generation dipped in 2023, likely due to milder weather patterns. However, new wind projects are still coming online, with Illinois adding enough capacity to power over 2 million homes in 2023.
"The overall takeaway for wind and solar is positive," said Brady. "Continued growth, even at different paces in different states, is a great sign."
Photo Credit: istock-simplycreativephotography
Categories: Missouri, Energy