Solar energy has reached a milestone in the United States, providing more electricity than coal for the first time on record. According to an analysis of government data by Ember, an energy think tank, solar contributed 12.8% of the nation’s electricity in May, while coal provided 12.2%.
Rise of Renewables
The rise of solar energy is a significant development in the US energy mix, with solar becoming the third-largest and fastest-growing source of power in the country. Despite political headwinds, markets across the US are betting on solar to meet rising power needs.
The latest electricity data comes as the Trump administration announced $700 million in funding for investments in the coal industry, including money for new coal-fired power plants. However, experts believe that the solar market will continue to grow, with solar installations accounting for more than half of all newly installed electricity capacity in 2025.
The shift towards solar energy is expected to have a positive impact on the environment and public health, with reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. As the US continues to transition towards a more sustainable energy mix, solar energy is likely to play an increasingly important role.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
