Solar generates more energy in US than coal for first time
5 hours ago
- #renewable growth
- #coal decline
- #solar energy
- Solar power surpassed coal in US electricity generation for the first time in May 2024, accounting for 12.8% compared to coal's 12.2%.
- Solar became the third-largest source of electricity in the US, behind natural gas and nuclear, with coal generation hitting record lows.
- Despite federal policies favoring coal under Trump, solar remains the leading source of new power, driven by investor interest and declining costs.
- Renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, is growing globally and expected to be the largest energy source by 2030, accounting for nearly 45% of electricity.
- Solar and battery storage dominated new power capacity in the first quarter of 2024, making up 91% of all new generating capacity in the US.