Chart of the week

Clean energy

Chart: Global investment in the energy transition surpasses $2T

An unprecedented amount of money is flowing to clean-energy, EV, and grid projects around the world, but more is needed to eliminate fossil fuels.

By Dan McCarthy . 7 February 2025
Solar

Chart: In a first, EU grid got more power from solar than coal in 2024

The bloc’s use of fossil fuels for electricity hit a historic low, but experts say more progress, particularly in the wind sector, is needed.

By Akielly Hu . 31 January 2025
Clean energy

Chart: The biggest clean energy projects built in the US last year

We’re living in the era of the clean energy megaproject. Here are the 25 biggest solar, wind, and battery-storage installations completed in the U.S. in 2024.

By Dan McCarthy . 24 January 2025
Electric vehicles

Chart: EV sales grew slowly in 2024 — but still set new records

Last year, automakers sold 1.3 million new electric vehicles in the U.S., up just 7 percent from 2023.

By Dan McCarthy . 17 January 2025
Clean energy

Chart: 96 percent of new US power capacity was carbon-free in 2024

Solar, batteries, and wind accounted for the vast majority of new electrons on the U.S. grid last year, but fossil fuel use remains high.

By Dan McCarthy . 10 January 2025
Clean energy

The clean energy transition, in 10 charts

These charts on electric vehicles, clean energy, batteries, and more show where the global clean energy transition stands — and where it’s headed.

By Dan McCarthy . 27 December 2024
Clean energy

Chart: Wind and solar overtook coal on the US grid in 2024

The renewable energy sources together generated more electricity than coal-fired power plants from January to November of this year.

By Carrie Klein . 20 December 2024
Batteries

Chart: Lithium-ion battery prices fall yet again

Batteries got 20% cheaper this year, a continuation of the steady cost declines that have enabled battery adoption to take off in recent years.

By Dan McCarthy . 13 December 2024
Solar

Chart: US solar installations hit record high, but could drop in 2025

Utility-scale solar is soaring, with 32 gigawatts expected to be installed across the U.S. this year. A new report says that pace won’t be sustained.

By Carrie Klein . 6 December 2024
Policy & regulation

Chart: Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act would harm US businesses

Trump has said he wants to gut the climate law. A recent survey of clean energy companies shows doing so would have a devastating effect.

By Dan McCarthy . 27 November 2024