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.