U.S. solar generation is set to surpass wind in 2025, marking a key milestone in the country’s energy transition. At the same time, coal capacity continues to decline, with nearly 25 GW expected to retire by 2028. Solar is projected to add nearly 93 GW over the same period, accelerating the shift toward cleaner power.
Why It Matters
The transition underscores three themes shaping the U.S. power sector:
● Renewable momentum – Solar is on track to become the second-largest power source after natural gas.
● Coal phase-out – Retirements continue to reshape regional markets and reduce fossil reliance.
● Energy diversification – Natural gas, wind, and solar together dominate the U.S. power mix, balancing growth in renewables with dispatchable gas capacity.
Together, these dynamics highlight how quickly the U.S. grid is moving away from coal and toward a renewable-heavy future.
What the Map Shows
In Rextag DataLink, the map highlights operational U.S. power plants across all major sources:
● Solar (yellow) – 153 GW (11%), set to surpass wind this year.
● Wind (blue) – 158 GW (12%).
● Coal (black) – 198 GW (15%), in decline.
● Natural Gas (red) – 567 GW (42%), the largest share.
The distribution shows how regional clusters of solar and wind are expanding, while coal plants shrink in influence.
A Deeper Dive with DataLink
● Filter Power Plants by type to compare solar, wind, coal, and natural gas.
● Zoom into regions like Texas or California to see solar clusters driving growth.
● Overlay with historical retirements to track where coal exits are freeing up market share.
By combining these layers, users can see how the U.S. power mix is evolving — from coal-heavy toward renewable-driven — with natural gas acting as the backbone during the transition.
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