Despite the rapid growth of home and business-based solar arrays and other options like wind and geothermal, these technologies continue to account for a relatively small portion of the nation's energy output. However, this also means there is room for exponential growth in these industries, especially in light of steadily improving technology and favorable government policies.
According to the Energy Information Administration, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions declined by 405 million tons, or 7 percent.
"The large decline in emissions was driven by the economic downturn, combined with an ongoing trend toward a less energy-intensive economy and a decrease in the carbon-intensity of the energy supply," explained EIA Administrator Richard Newell.
A number of utility-scale wind and solar energy projects are expected to go online in the next several years, which could help offset a likely increase in carbon emissions as the economy continues to gain ground.
