US Solar Outpaces Coal in Power Generation
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are surpassing coal in electricity generation in the United States, despite political efforts to revive fossil fuels.
December 2023
Aerosols reduced global solar generation by 5.8%
Aerosols reduced global solar generation by 5.8 percent in 2023. This loss is attributed to the burning of fossil fuels and natural sources like volcanoes.
Source ↗April 2026
Wind and solar generated 22% of global electricity
Ember reported that wind and solar energy generated 22% of global electricity during April 2026. This figure was compared to 20% from natural gas power sources.
Source ↗May 2026
Solar supplied 12.8% of US electricity; coal at 12.2%
In May, solar power supplied 12.8% of US electricity, according to data from Ember. Coal supplied 12.2% of the nation's electricity in the same month. This marked the first time solar surpassed coal in US electricity supply.
Source ↗Solar supplied more US electricity than coal
In May, solar power supplied 12.8% of the nation's electricity. Coal supplied 12.2% of the electricity generated during the same month.
Source ↗Solar supplied 12.8% of U.S. electricity in May 2026
In May 2026, solar power supplied 12.8% of the total electricity generated in the United States. This indicated a rapid growth in renewable energy sources.
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