Renewable energy has overtaken coal in U.S. electricity production for the first time since 1885. Renewables now generate 22% of America’s power, while coal has fallen to 15%. Solar capacity jumped to 39.6 GW in 2024, and wind energy powers over 41 million homes. By 2026, half of all U.S. coal plants will be closed. This shift isn’t just environmental—clean energy jobs are growing twice as fast as the overall economy.
After more than a century of dominance in America’s energy landscape, coal has finally lost its crown to renewable energy sources. For the first time since 1885, renewables have surpassed coal in U.S. electricity generation, marking a historic change in how America powers its homes and businesses.
Solar and wind energy combined to provide 17% of U.S. electricity in 2023, exceeding coal’s 15% share. Overall, renewable energy sources delivered 22% of the nation’s electricity, up from 20% in 2022, while coal’s contribution fell from 20% to 15% during the same period. The U.S. is rapidly approaching a milestone where half of coal capacity will be closed by 2026.
Solar power has seen remarkable growth. Solar capacity additions reached 39.6 GW in 2024, up from 27.4 GW the previous year. By 2025, solar generation is expected to reach 286 billion kWh, a 75% increase from 2023. California leads the nation in solar production with 68,816 GWh generated in 2023.
Wind energy continues its steady climb as well. In 2023, wind provided 11% of U.S. electricity and is forecast to reach 12% in 2024. Texas dominates wind production with 119,836 GWh generated in 2023. Wind capacity is projected to increase to 156 GW by the end of 2024. This dramatic growth has enabled wind energy to power 41 million homes in 2022, representing a 2.6-fold increase since 2013.
Meanwhile, coal’s decline accelerates. Generation dropped 18% between 2023 and 2025, with coal consumption falling to its lowest level since around 1900. Plant retirements are picking up pace, with 11 GW of coal capacity set to be removed in 2025.
Natural gas remains America’s largest electricity source, generating 42% of U.S. electricity in 2024. However, its generation is expected to decline 3% in 2025.
Battery storage is helping manage the shift to more variable renewable energy. Storage capacity nearly doubled in 2024 to 29 GW and is projected to grow another 47% in 2025.
The change to renewables is creating economic benefits too. Clean energy jobs grew at twice the rate of the overall economy in 2023, with renewables accounting for over half of all new energy jobs. The transition has been financially supported by a 30% tax credit for residential solar installations, making renewable energy more accessible to average homeowners.
