The unique grading system takes into account both the amount of energy generated from renewable sources and the growth rate over a three-year period, as well as savings achieved in electricity use, state incentive programs for renewable energy, and other factors

ARLINGTON, Va. (May 7) -- California, Colorado and Massachusetts are the top states in the country for renewable energy, according to a new analysis of data by EnergyTrends.org, a project of the Arlington, Virginia-based Lexington Institute.

EnergyTrends.org is pleased to announce its new 2012 state letter grades for renewable energy. The unique grading system takes into account both the amount of energy generated from renewable sources and the growth rate over a three-year period, as well as savings achieved in electricity use, state incentive programs for renewable energy, and other factors. Extra bonus points were awarded for categories such as grid-connected renewable installations, dynamic pricing for power utility consumers, and integration of electric vehicles.

"Renewable energy is really still in its infancy here in the United States," said Lexington Executive Vice President Don Soifer. "So we felt it essential to grade based on a growth model, with plenty of room to reflect future improvements in the integration of renewable."

"We worked to create a new resource that will be useful for everyone from schools to elected officials to keep track of their state's critical patterns for energy consumption and generation," said Soifer.

The scoring is based on data from 2003-2010, the most recent year for which confirmed information is available.

The website draws much of its data from the federal Department of Energy. It also includes a wealth of other state-specific energy information, including per-capita consumption of energy from various fossil fuels (like coal, natural gas and gasoline), as well as renewable sources. All states are ranked in each category, along with indicators for important trends and summaries of important recent developments.