Solar Energy in Alabama

What It Is:

Solar energy captures sunlight and converts it into electricity or heat.

Quick Stats:

• Alabama ranks 39th in the U.S. for solar capacity.
• Just 0.89% of the state’s electricity comes from solar.
• Enough installed to power 93,400 homes.
• Projected growth of 1,508 MW over the next 5 years.

How You Can Use It:

• Install solar panels on your home or business (with optional battery backup).
• Join a community solar program or subscribe through your utility.
• Use solar-powered EV charging stations.

Ways to Get Involved:

• Invest in solar panels.
• Explore tax credits and incentives.
• Support or invest in shared solar projects to lower utility bills.

Available Programs:

• Alabama Power – Clean Energy Select lets you buy Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to support local solar. They’ve also built a solar-powered Smart Neighborhood.
• TVA – Offers programs like “Green Switch” and options to sell extra energy from your panels. Check out the TVA Solar Calculator if you are considering solar.

How We Compare:

• Georgia ranks 7th, with 7.04% of electricity from solar.
• Mississippi ranks 31st with 2.57% from solar.

Wind Energy in Alabama

What It Is:

Wind power captures energy from moving air using turbines.

Quick Facts:

• No utility-scale or community wind projects yet in Alabama.
• Best potential exists along the Gulf Coast and Appalachian ridges.

How You Can Use It:

• Install small wind turbines if your location has consistent wind.
• Support advocacy for more wind development.

Available Programs:

• Alabama Power offers RECs tied to wind farms in Kansas and Oklahoma.
• TVA imports wind power and plans to expand wind energy by 2035.

How We Compare:

• Georgia has small demo projects, mostly educational.
• Mississippi launched its first utility-scale wind farm in 2024 (Delta Wind).

Geothermal Energy in Alabama

What It Is:

Geothermal energy uses heat from beneath the Earth’s surface.

Current Use in Alabama:

• No utility-scale geothermal power plants yet.
• Residential geothermal heat pumps are becoming more common.
• The University of Alabama is testing new campus-wide geothermal systems.

How You Can Use It:

• Install a geothermal heat pump (closed-loop systems are most efficient).
• Work with companies that offer geothermal installations.

Available Programs:

• Alabama Power and TVA support geothermal heat pump adoption through rebates and energy programs.
• Central Alabama Electric Cooperative Heat Pump Rebates

How We Compare:

• Georgia and Mississippi also lack large-scale projects but have geothermal communities and pilot systems.

Hydropower in Alabama

What It Is:

Uses the flow of rivers to generate electricity.

Quick Stats:

• Alabama is the 5th largest producer of hydroelectric power in the U.S.
• 66% of Alabama’s renewable energy comes from hydropower.
• 23 hydroelectric dams across the state, mainly on the Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Black Warrior rivers.

How You Can Use It:

• Install a microhydropower system if you have access to flowing water.
• Join community clean energy programs.

Available Programs:

• Alabama Power operates 14 hydro plants and offers RECs through Clean Energy Select.
• TVA runs 3 hydroelectric dams and is exploring pumped storage projects.

How We Compare:

• Georgia has 27 hydro plants and 4 pumped storage facilities.
• Mississippi has no utility-scale hydropower facilities.

Nuclear Energy in Alabama

What It Is:

A form of clean (but not renewable) energy that produces no direct carbon emissions.

Quick Facts:

• Alabama ranks 4th in nuclear electricity generation in the U.S.
• Two plants: Farley (Alabama Power) and Browns Ferry (TVA).
• Nuclear makes up 33% of Alabama’s total electricity generation.

How You Can Engage:

• Support nuclear energy advocacy groups and research efforts.
• Join local clean energy initiatives.

Available Programs:

• Alabama Power and TVA both operate nuclear plants and include nuclear energy in their clean energy portfolios.

How We Compare:

• Georgia gets almost 60% of its power from nuclear power.
• Mississippi operates the largest single-reactor plant in the U.S. (Grand Gulf).

Battery Storage in Alabama

What It Is:

A system for storing excess electricity – often produced from renewable sources like solar or wind – for use later when energy demand is higher or generation is lower.

Quick Facts:

• Alabama is among 9 states in the U.S. that have no operational utility-scale battery storage.
• One utility-scale battery storage facility is under construction.

How You Can Engage:

• Residential battery storage is a good option for homes with solar panels in Alabama.
• Advocate for battery storage. It supports clean, reliable, and affordable power.

Available Programs:

• Alabama Power is building the state’s first utility‑scale battery storage system at the retired Plant Gorgas site in Walker County. The 150 MW facility will store energy for up to two hours (enough to power 9,000 homes) and is expected to begin operation in 2027.

How We Compare:

• Georgia has an operational 65 MW grid-connected battery system that can supply about 4 hours of power during peak demand.
• Georgia Power and the Georgia Public Service Commission have a goal of 1,000 MW of installed battery capacity by 2030.
• Mississippi has no current or planned utility-scale battery storage operations.

Why It Matters

Using and supporting clean energy in Alabama can:

• Lower utility costs
• Improve air and water quality
• Create new jobs
• Make communities more resilient
• Combat climate change

Take Action

• Look into renewable programs from your utility provider.
• Consider installing solar, geothermal, or small hydro systems.
• Support clean energy policies and organizations in Alabama.
• Share this page with friends, neighbors, and community leaders!

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