Powering Ourselves: How Solar, Wind, and Batteries Are Driving Energy Independence
- Emma Thompson
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
What is Energy Independence, and what does it look like?
"Energy independence" refers to a nation, state, community, business, school, farm, or household's ability to produce its own energy without relying on external producers. For a business, school, farm, or household to achieve energy independence, it often means installing a sufficient number of solar panels, either on the roof or on available land. By adding solar, they can also reduce their utility costs, reducing their risk of power outages and utility rate hikes. Additionally, farms that lease land for renewable energy projects will receive land payments, while the project generates locally produced energy that will be used to power their operations and the community. Households in the Midwest can produce 60-100% of their annual energy usage through residential solar, while farm operations have seen a 30-50% reduction in their utility bill if they have their own solar power supply.
On the national level, energy independence means reducing or eliminating reliance on energy imports, strengthening the transmission grid, and safeguarding the power supply from market volatility and political instability from other nations. Fuel sources, such as oil, are globally traded commodities; a country may be able to produce all the energy it consumes domestically, but if it exports oil, the market of other countries can impact its energy prices and costs.
For the United States, achieving energy independence would mean creating a balanced portfolio of energy sources, updating and upgrading our transmission system, and reducing the economy's dependence on fuel sources with fluctuating prices. To achieve this, renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, must be more widely integrated into the current energy portfolio, and additional battery storage must be added to the grid.
An Increase in Renewables
2024 was a record-setting year. The United States saw a slight increase in total energy production, at 1%, while renewable sources increased their output by roughly 10%. This is a promising step towards diversifying the nation's energy mix, and the U.S. is just getting started.
In 2024, U.S. wind power increased by 7.7% and remained the leading renewable source, accounting for 10.3% of total electricity. Wind and solar combined generated over 17.2%, helping renewables as a whole supply 24.2% of U.S. electricity, up from 23.2% the year before. Wind and solar produced 15.9% more electricity than coal and nearly matched nuclear power, reinforcing renewables as the second-largest electricity source after natural gas. The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) has compiled all the planned additions to energy production to the grid between now and 2030. Without solar and battery storage, America will not be able to power itself.
The Important part Renewables play in meeting Energy Independence
Energy security and diversification are critical to building a stable and resilient energy system. By incorporating a mix of energy sources—such as wind, solar, natural gas, and oil—the United States can reduce their dependence on any single fuel and lessen the risk of supply disruptions caused by market volatility, extreme weather, or geopolitical conflict. Diversifying the energy portfolio also helps ensure a consistent and reliable supply of electricity, even when one source is limited. As renewable energy technologies grow more affordable and widespread, they play an increasingly important role in strengthening national energy independence and supporting long-term economic and environmental goals.
By adding wind, solar, and battery storage to the energy mix, the grid becomes more resilient to disruptions like extreme weather, fuel shortages, or equipment failures. Renewables reduce dependence on imported fuels, helping communities and the nation strengthen energy independence. A more diverse and decentralized power system also allows for quicker recovery from outages and more stable energy prices. Together, these factors support a cleaner, more reliable, and self-sufficient energy future.
Looking Forward
As the United States looks to the future, achieving energy independence will require continued investment in renewable energy sources, along with the infrastructure to support them. The shift toward clean power is not just about reducing emissions; it’s about building a stronger, more secure, and economically stable nation. With wind and solar now making up a growing share of electricity generation, the U.S. is already making significant progress. By expanding renewable energy, modernizing the grid, and creating good-paying jobs across the country, we can power our communities with homegrown energy, reduce our reliance on volatile global markets, and ensure a more resilient and self-sufficient energy system for generations to come.
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