Best Renewable Electricity Providers in the US Right Now
Renewable Energy Concepts and Types
Renewable energy generally refers to energy sources derived from nature that are self-replenishing and theoretically and largely in fact inexhaustible, but the amount of energy available per unit time is limited.
Renewable energy primarily includes several types:
- Biomass energy, including wood and wood waste, municipal solid waste, landfill gas and biogas, ethanol, and biodiesel; hydropower; geothermal energy; wind power; and solar power.
- Biomass energy is produced from non-fossil plant materials. Wood and wood waste are the largest sources of biomass energy in the United States, followed by biofuels and municipal solid waste. Biofuels include ethanol and biodiesel. Most fuel ethanol used in the United States is produced from corn, while biodiesel is made from grain oils and animal fats. Municipal solid waste (MSW), or garbage, contains biomass (or biogenic) materials such as paper, cardboard, food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, wood, leather products, and non-biomass combustible materials (primarily plastics and other synthetic materials made from petroleum). This solid waste can be incinerated to generate electricity. Many landfills in the United States collect and incinerate this waste to generate electricity.
Overall U.S. Renewable Energy Production and Consumption
In 2017, the United States produced 11 quadrillion British thermal units (QTs) of renewable energy, accounting for 11% of total U.S. energy consumption. Of the total U.S. renewable energy production in 2017, hydropower accounted for 25%; biomass accounted for 45%, broken down into: biofuels 21%, wood 19%, and biowaste 4%; wind 21%; solar 6%; and geothermal 2%. 57% of U.S. renewable energy was used for electricity generation, accounting for 17% of total U.S. electricity generation.
As of July 2025, the top publicly listed companies in the US renewable energy power generation sector by market capitalization are as follows (data from Nasdaq and NYSE public information):
- Tesla (TSLA)
Market capitalization: approximately $850 billion
Although best known for its electric vehicles, its solar rooftop and energy storage businesses account for 35% of its revenue, and its Megapack energy storage system holds the largest global market share.
- NextEra Energy (NEE)
Market capitalization: approximately $320 billion
The world's largest wind and solar power operator, supplying 80% of Florida's clean electricity and planning to build over 4GW of new photovoltaic power plants in 2024.
- First Solar (FSLR)
Market capitalization: approximately $28 billion
Specifies in thin-film solar panel manufacturing and is the largest domestic photovoltaic module supplier in the United States. Its new Arizona factory has an annual production capacity of 3.5GW.
- Brookfield Renewable (BEP)
Market capitalization: approximately $26 billion
Operates over 25GW of renewable energy projects globally and recently acquired a European offshore wind developer. 5. SunPower (SPWR)
Market capitalization: approximately $9 billion
A leading provider of residential solar systems, it plans to launch new rooftop photovoltaic panels with a 24% conversion efficiency in 2024.