According to new data from Ember, solar and wind power produced more electricity than coal in the United States for the bulk of 2024. From January to November of last year, solar and wind provided more than 17 percent of U.S. electricity. For the first time, wind and solar exceeded coal power’s declining share of roughly 15 percent.
2024 was an unprecedented year for renewables in other ways as well. Ember’s data also shows a record-setting amount of solar installations in the United States last year. Their data also reports that 10 states now generate half or more of their electricity supply from renewables. 2024 also saw impressive investment in battery technology and continued reductions in price.
While coal power continues to decline in the United States, other countries have already closed their last coal-fired power plants. The United States is on pace to close half of peak coal capacity by 2026.
“Our nation can meet its energy needs many times over by harvesting the rays of the sun, the strength of the wind, and the heat of the earth,” said Johanna Neumann, Senior Director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at Environment America Research & Policy Center. “Our progress to date should give us the confidence to do even more.”
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