Talk:List of U.S. states by renewable electricity production

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Hawaii's dubious data.[edit]

Although the numbers come from EIA's February Electric Power Monthly, those numbers are in doubt. Specifically there is an internal inconsistency in the EIA's data for Hawaii (and possibly other states as well). If you add up the generation numbers for the specific non-renewable sources (wind, solar, geothermal, biomass), they add up to MORE than the number reported for the total non-renewable electricity in the EPM. Similarly, the totals for all sources add up to more than the total generation reported. EIA, you messed up.

This discrepancy was noticed when I generated the pie chart for Hawaii's electricity sources. That pie chart didn't jive with the percents shown in this table.

It may be that when the EIA revises the numbers (the numbers in the Feb. report are preliminary), the discrepancy will clear up. I'll revisit things along about May.--Aflafla1 (talk) 16:32, 17 March 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Looking at this more, I've determined that the numbers here are fine. The 'solar' numbers used when producing the pie charts included the estimates for distributed solar. I was not aware of this and as this affects several of the pie charts, I will have to redo them. I removed the dubious flag from 'Hawaii' in this article accordingly --Aflafla1 (talk) 03:38, 22 March 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Complete update[edit]

I refurbished this article to include up-to-date figures and sources. I remove some columns: the 'without hydro' columns (as hydro is now the second largest renewable source), and the 'total generation' column (only useful when doing the calculations). I added a column for percent renewable generation as a share of the US total, and another column integrating the carbon intensity figure. I removed that figure, and replaced the other two. The pie chart was updated to a treemap. The map was updated to a statewise treemap.

I removed the rank column, but might add it back (without the 'rank' name'). The problem is that there are two equally valid ways of ranking: by rate of renewable and by total generation. Vermort, for example, is sitting pretty at nearly 100% renewable electricity, but they generate almost none of the total (in fact they import from the grid, making their consumption less renewable).

A lot of these are drastic changes, but all for the better I hope. If I made any errors or if you think something else should be included, please discuss here. Wizmut (talk) 23:53, 24 April 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the update! I think the total generation column was relevant though, good to be able to compare relative sizes. Rather than removing the hydro distinctions, it could be nice to have a more detailed breakdown by multiple sources if you're interested in adding that! Reywas92^Talk 03:17, 25 April 2023 (UTC)[reply]

I have added the Total generation column back. I put it more to the left so the reader can see the calculation more clearly. Another goal I had was to keep the percentage columns separated to improve readability.

As for generation by state and renewable source, that can get complicated quite quickly. See List of countries by renewable electricity production, which is bursting at the seams. Per WP:NOTDATABASE, no table should get too bloated or unfocused. The treemap of production by state and any source gives the gist of this information, especially for the states with the most generation.

The number of columns is a concern for readability. The carbon intensity column might be more appropriate at List of U.S. states and territories by carbon dioxide emissions, which is another list that could use some love. Wizmut (talk) 04:34, 25 April 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Expected year of data[edit]

@Quxyz expressed a concern that the data may be out of date.

The EIA data for 2021 was finalized in March of 2023,[1] and the 2022 data will presumably follow a similar schedule. I don't really feel pressed to update it now versus waiting four more months. I'll remove the update tag soon unless there's a good reason to keep it. Wizmut (talk) 04:48, 17 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

I'm actually wondering if this really needs to be an article if its just going to be a synopsis of a single source. In terms of my concerns for out-of-dateness, I was looking at some of Iowa's numbers and the ratios seemed too small since 62% of energy comes from wind power and they produce no petroleum. On top of that, the EIA says that they are in the top five energy producing states. ✶Qux yz ✶ 15:06, 17 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Would be nice to have a second source, but the IEA charges for access these days, and this list article wouldn't be the only one to use a single source, especially among provincial-level data topics. Most energy sources don't divide data up by US state.

Wind power is increasing rapidly, so it's no surprise that 2022's preliminary numbers are different from 2021's finalized ones. For Wind in Iowa, 37 of 67 GWh were wind in 2021 (55%) compared to 46 of 73 GWh in 2022 (63%).[2]

Few states besides Louisiana or Hawaii use petroleum for electricity in large amounts. It's mostly burned directly in vehicles.

I can see Iowa in the top 5 energy consumption per capita[3], but not so high in total energy production. Be sure to consider all energy production, not just electricity generation. Iowa does make a lot of ethanol, which would mostly not show up in electricity figures. Wizmut (talk) 17:31, 17 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

I have seen other lists deleted on the basis of it only being based on one source. The other lists you mentioned might have not had someone willing to delete it come around just yet. ✶Qux yz ✶ 17:58, 17 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

2022 update[edit]

I have updated the table for 2022. While doing so, I found that some of my calculations for 2021 had been wrong (percent renewable in particular). This time around I doubled-checked everything I could, but please let me know if you spot any errors. Wizmut (talk) 23:18, 31 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]

As an aside if anyone would like to view or copy the R code used in making these tables please see my user page. Wizmut (talk) 23:34, 31 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]