energySaturday, June 20, 2026

Solar overtakes coal in US, Asia milestones

Solar power hit two major milestones today, surpassing coal in US electricity generation for the first time and overtaking gas in Asia. The numbers are clear: the transition is accelerating despite political headwinds. Meanwhile, geopolitics and local opposition remind us that the path isn't smooth.

Sources

Solar milestones

Two separate analyses confirm solar is now outproducing coal in the US and gas in Asia, marking a structural shift in the global electricity mix.

#01apnews.comJun 20

Solar power beats coal for electricity generation despite Trump policies | AP News

Multiple outlets report solar surpassed coal in US electricity generation in May, supplying 12.8% vs coal's 12.2%, a first, despite Trump's pro-coal policies.

15 min readRead original

#02grist.orgJun 20

For first time, Americans are getting more of their electricity from solar than coal

Grist adds context: solar's share has more than doubled in five years, while coal dropped from 20%.

3 min readRead original

#03www.carbonbrief.orgJun 20

Analysis: Solar overtakes gas power in Asia for first time ever

Carbon Brief analysis shows solar has overtaken gas as Asia's third-largest power source, with output nearly quadrupled since 2020, China, India, Pakistan leading.

Geopolitics and pushback

While solar surges, geopolitical tensions and local resistance to specific projects show the transition faces real-world friction.

#04billmckibben.substack.comJun 20

Now where?

Bill McKibben ties the Iran conflict to energy: renewables like wind and solar are 'un-embargoable', a geopolitical argument for accelerating the transition.

#05gazeteoksijen.comJun 20

İran: ABD taahhütlere uymuyor, Hürmüz Boğazı tekrar kapatıldı

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz again, citing US non-compliance with commitments, a reminder of fossil fuel supply vulnerability.

#06nbmediacoop.orgJun 20

Holt government refuses data centre moratorium as activists rally against Lorneville project

New Brunswick activists rallied against a 390 MW AI data centre, calling for a moratorium, the facility would emit 750,000 tonnes of CO2.

#07www.bbc.co.ukJun 20

Walshaw Moor wind farm consultation 'fell well short' - council

Bradford Council says consultation for the Walshaw Moor wind farm fell short; the scaled-down 34-turbine project near Haworth faces local opposition.

Policy and economics

New reports and initiatives highlight how policy and falling costs are making clean energy the cheaper, more secure option.

#08www.euronews.comJun 20

Clean energy saved EU €51 billion in 2025 by cutting fossil fuel imports - as solar leads the way

Ember calculates clean energy saved the EU €51 billion in 2025 by cutting fossil fuel imports, with solar leading, and expects more savings in 2026.

#09www.euronews.comJun 20

Round-the-clock renewables: New report says clean energy now challenges fossil fuels on price

A new IRENA report finds renewables plus battery storage now cost-competitive with fossil fuels for round-the-clock power, challenging reliability arguments.

#10www.theguardian.comJun 20

Push for electrification finally takes centre stage in pre-Cop31 climate talks

Electrification of transport, heating, and industry is taking center stage in pre-COP31 talks, with the potential to halve global energy demand.

#11briefly.coJun 20

Home Batteries Aren't Just for Doomsday Preppers. Here's Why You Might Want One

Home batteries are moving beyond emergency backup: they store solar, shift loads, and help grid stability, with LFP and emerging sodium-ion chemistries.