The relentless growth of photovoltaics has created a breakthrough that seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.
Wind turbines lagging behind is troubling news, as they complement solar panels effectively.
For the first time in U.S. energy history, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems generated more electricity than wind in a single month—and for two months in a row.
It happened this summer. In July and August 2024, solar accounted for 7.41% and 7.42% of electricity generation, respectively. It surpassed wind, which contributed 6.36% and 6.65% over the same period.
While wind still leads in the annual balance (producing 76% more electricity than solar in 2023), the shift appears inevitable.
Uneven growth. This milestone, officially reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), reflects a global trend. Solar power is expanding rapidly, while wind power deployment has slowed.
Even though wind turbines generate more electricity per installation than solar panels, global installed solar capacity has grown by 34% in 2024, compared to just 5% growth for wind.
Why is this happening? The surge in solar power is driven by China’s mass production of solar panels, which has significantly lowered costs. While newer PV modules are less efficient than earlier models, they’re more affordable, and the rise of battery storage solutions has made it easier to capitalize on this increased capacity.
In contrast, wind power faces challenges associated with the size and complexity of wind turbines. These include higher transportation and installation costs, public opposition due to their visual impact, and regulatory hurdles that limit site availability.
The U.S. goes solar. As of August 2024, the U.S. had 107.4 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity in operation, up from 81.9 GW in August 2023, according to the EIA.
In California, a leading example, solar PV accounted for more than 30% of electricity generation over the past 12 months. Other states with abundant sunshine, such as South Dakota and Montana, are also rapidly adding large solar installations.
The seasonal effect. Despite solar’s recent dominance, wind is expected to regain its lead during the winter. Solar generation peaks in the summer months and declines during the winter due to shorter days and less sunlight.
Conversely, wind power generation increases in the winter and typically peaks in March in the U.S., highlighting their complementary nature.
The importance of balance. The slowdown in wind power is concerning for efforts to decarbonize the electricity sector. Wind remains a higher-capacity factor energy source, producing more electricity per installed unit than solar.
However, the balance between solar and wind isn’t solely about installed capacity but also seasonal and geographic complementarity. Wind turbines generate power when solar panels cannot: at night, during storms, and in less sunny regions. Both are critical to a reliable, clean energy future.
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