Solar Surpasses Coal in Leading US Coal State: Daily Chart
In a significant milestone for renewable energy, solar power has surpassed coal in Texas for the first time over the course of a whole month. Texas, known for its heavy reliance on coal for electricity, saw solar generation of 3.26 terawatt hours in March, outpacing the 2.96 TWh produced by coal-fired generators, as reported by Ieefa.
This achievement marks a notable shift in Texas, which has historically been the largest consumer of coal for power generation in the United States. In 2023, the state burned 50.7 million tons of coal for electricity, a figure double that of the second-ranking state, Missouri, at 24.1 million tons, and accounting for 13% of the national total.
However, the dominance of coal in Texas is waning rapidly, with its share in power generation plummeting from 40% over a decade ago to just 13.9% in 2023. The latest data from March pushes coal’s contribution below 10% for the first time in a single month.
Conversely, solar energy has made significant strides, surpassing the 10% mark for the first time, a substantial increase from its 0.6% share in 2017. The March solar output represents a 50% surge compared to the same period last year, coinciding with Texas’ total solar capacity reaching 22.7 gigawatts. An additional 7.2 GW is set to be added this year, with over 20 GW more in the development pipeline.
Recent records further highlight the ascendance of renewables in Texas, with solar achieving a peak instantaneous output of 18.6 GW, followed by a combined wind and solar output of 37.6 GW. This surge in renewable energy also saw a record level of penetration, accounting for 74% of the total load, according to GridStatus.
Giles Parkinson
Giles Parkinson, the founder and editor of Renew Economy, has been at the forefront of reporting on the transition to clean energy. With a wealth of experience in journalism, including roles at publications such as the Australian Financial Review, Parkinson continues to drive the conversation around renewables through platforms like One Step Off The Grid and The Driven, focusing on electric vehicles.
