A US Energy First: The Sun Rises Over Coal

For the first time ever, more people in the US are getting their energy from solar power than from coal. 

In 2021, solar energy made up just 5.4% of US electricity generation. Coal burning stood at 19.7%. It has long been a major part of the nation's energy output. But last month, solar surpassed coal. According to data from the global energy think tank Ember and the Solar Energy Industries Association, 12.8% of US electricity in May came from solar sources. That's compared to 12.2% from coal burning. Solar is now the US’ third-largest source of power. Natural gas and nuclear are the top two sources. Coal has dropped to fourth. 

The Trump administration has taken steps to slow solar's growth. It canceled millions of dollars in solar projects. It took away $7 billion set aside for affordable solar programs. Meanwhile, the administration has directed billions to the fossil fuel industry. At a recent event, Trump pledged $700 million toward the coal industry. The money could be used to repair and build new coal-fired power plants. He said that "in terms of power, there's really nothing like" coal. And he argued that the money could save or create as many as 14,000 jobs.  

Renewable energy advocates point to the growth of the solar industry. They argue it creates lots of jobs. Nearly 91% of all new sources of energy built this year are solar. That brings the US total to more than 6 million solar sources.     

“Today we can harness solar more affordably than any other energy source. It’s scalable. And it’s also our most abundant renewable energy source,” Johanna Neumann told The Associated Press. She works for the Environment America Research and Policy Center. “I think it’s hard to keep the lid on a good idea,” she said.

Reflect: What do you think is most important when making energy decisions: cost, jobs, or the environment? Why?