Solar And Wind Beat Coal In The US For The First Time
Renewable energy made significant progress in the US. According to a new report from Ember, wind and solar together produced more electricity than coal in 2024. Coal fell to a historic low, generating 15% of the country’s electricity, while solar and wind combined accounted for 17%.
The Market Pushes Clean Energy Forward
Despite federal government shifts away from clean energy under the Trump administration, market forces are driving renewable growth. Solar was the fastest-growing energy source in 2024, making up 81% of added capacity. Utility-scale solar added a record 31 gigawatts — enough to power millions of homes. Solar also became the cheapest source of electricity globally by 2020, and US solar module manufacturing skyrocketed by 190% last year.
Wind And Solar Lead The Charge
Wind energy grew more modestly but still contributed about 10% of the US electricity mix — double that of solar. Both wind and solar are cheaper than coal or gas in many areas. Texas led the nation in solar growth and manufacturing capacity, despite its oil and gas legacy.
Political Resistance And Growing Demand
The Trump administration attempted to cut funding for renewable projects, halted wind farm approvals, and imposed tariffs on foreign goods. Yet, electricity demand rose 3% last year — driven by AI data centers, crypto mining, EVs, and more. This demand fueled a 3.3% rise in gas-fired power generation, even as coal declined.
The Future Of Energy In The US
A national report suggests the US must install 900 gigawatts of renewables and batteries by 2040 to meet future needs. It also controversially recommends adding 100 gigawatts of gas capacity, despite its climate impact. Still, solar is outpacing gas growth, and with battery storage advances, renewables could dominate faster than expected.
Renewables have come far — in 2018, coal produced three times more electricity than solar and wind combined. But the tides are turning, with clean energy poised to reshape the nation’s power landscape.
