Wind and Solar Surpass Coal in US Electricity Generation for the First Time

In 2024, wind and solar produced 17% of US electricity, overtaking coal's 15% share as energy demand rose significantly.

Wind and solar energy combined generated more electricity than coal in the US in 2024, marking a historic shift in the nation's energy mix.
Solar power was the fastest-growing energy source, contributing 64 terawatt-hours of new generation and accounting for 81% of added annual capacity.
Natural gas generation also increased by 3.3%, while coal fell to its lowest share of electricity generation since tracking began.
The rise in electricity demand, driven by increased electrification, AI data centers, and electric vehicles, highlights the growing need for renewable energy expansion.
States like Texas and California led in solar and battery capacity growth, while 28 states still generated less than 5% of their electricity from solar, showing room for further development.