Actually 17% is a lot more than I would have guessed. I suspect that “other renewables” includes hydro. Wind and solar are probably about 1% together.
That percentage may well represent nameplate capacity at full load, not actual power delivered on average.
I think you’re right. Even this pro “green” article says only 8% in 2017. https://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/1495871/wind-solar-produce-8-us-generation-2017
8% or 17% doesn’t really matter because of the general rule that electricity has to be consumed near where it’s produced. That’s easy enough for a power plant running on coal or gas, which can be easily built anywhere. Wind and solar are trickier because you need just the right conditions (sun, wind, land) to produce. So that’s great for areas that have all three but not so great for the rest of us who are not near those wind and solar energy producing areas.
Me too, I can’t believe its actually that high.
You’re correct. Here’s a link to the official statistics. Hydro is the largest single renewable source of electricity. Wind and solar together total 7.6% of the sources for electric generation.
https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=427&t=3
Hydro and wood - both renewable.
“Actually 17% is a lot more than I would have guessed. I suspect that “other renewables” includes hydro. Wind and solar are probably about 1% together.”
No F-ing way that solar and wind produce 17% of US electricity ... i bet it’s less than even 1% ...