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Solar Energy Produces More Electricity Than Coal For First Time

A new report from Ember showed that the amount of electricity generated through solar power surpassed coal for the first time in U.S. history.

Which resources generate the most electricity?

  • Gas: 37%
  • Nuclear: 18%
  • Solar: 12.8%
  • Coal: 12.2%

What are people saying?

  • Nicolas Fulghum, Senior Data Analyst at Ember: "Overtaking coal for the first month on record shows just how far solar has come, from a niche contributor to the third-largest and fastest-growing source of power in the US electricity system."

As coal use plummets, it seems solar is taking its place.

In May 2021, coal was generating nearly one-fifth of U.S. electricity. Now, it generates almost half of that.

In the past five years, however, solar has more than doubled to surpass coal. From 5.4% in May 2021, to 12.8% now, solar is on an upward trend as coal goes down.

"Overtaking coal for the first month on record shows just how far solar has come, from a niche contributor to the third-largest and fastest-growing source of power in the US electricity system," said Fulghum.

As solar made its way to third-place spot, it is still a long way away from gas, which currently sits at about 37% of the electricity produced. However, combined electricity produced by renewables surpassed gas for the first time.

This upward trend of renewable energy resources taking over the electrical grid is a big win for environmentalists and the U.S. power grid may see big changes in the future.

Ashley Paredes

Intern for Texas Politics and journalism student at the University of Texas at Austin

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