Solar Energy Surpasses Coal in U.S. Electricity Generation for the First Time
In a historic shift for the U.S. energy sector, solar power has eclipsed coal in electricity generation for the first time, according to a recent Ember analysis. The report reveals that solar energy provided 12.8% of the nation’s electricity in May, slightly surpassing coal’s 12.2% share.
This milestone represents a significant change from just a few years ago. In May 2021, coal was responsible for nearly 20% of the U.S. power supply, while solar contributed only 5.4%. Today, solar’s share has more than doubled, while coal has seen a dramatic decrease in its contribution.
“Solar power, historically, has usually been described as a relatively niche power source that works in some applications, some of the time,” noted Nicolas Fulghum, a senior data analyst at Ember. “What this shows is it’s now directly on the same level or contrasted with coal power.”
Regional Growth and Economic Factors
The data reflects national trends, but certain regions, particularly in the Mountain West, have emerged as leaders in solar energy. As per the Solar Energy Industries Association, Nevada stands out with about one-third of its electricity coming from solar. States like Arizona boast high installed solar capacity, while New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado have experienced rapid solar expansion over the past decade.
Fulghum attributes the rise in solar energy primarily to decreasing costs. Additionally, increasing electricity demand, particularly from data centers and other large energy consumers, is prompting utilities in the West to plan for greater power needs. Solar developers are increasingly turning to solar and battery storage as efficient solutions to meet these demands.
Long-term Trends and Future Expectations
Analysts suggest that this recent crossover is indicative of a broader, long-term trend rather than a temporary anomaly. Solar energy production has risen by 17% from the previous year, while coal usage has dropped by 11%. Solar has now become the third-largest electricity source in the country, trailing only natural gas and nuclear power.
Ember projects that solar will continue to surpass coal more frequently in the near future. “Solar is likely going to have more and more months where it is higher than coal,” Fulghum predicted. “And then ultimately in two or three years, we do expect it to also overtake coal on an annual basis.”
This transition is occurring despite efforts by the Trump administration to support the coal industry, including a recent initiative that aims to allocate nearly $700 million to coal-related projects.
This article is brought to you by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration among KUNR, Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNC in Northern Colorado, KANW in New Mexico, Colorado Public Radio, KJZZ in Arizona, and NPR. Additional support is provided by affiliate newsrooms throughout the region, with funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Eric and Wendy Schmidt.
