For the first time ever, Texas—the nation’s undisputed fossil leader—generated more electricity from solar than coal over a full calendar year. (Reuters)
According to LSEG data, solar farms in ERCOT pumped out more power than the state’s coal fleet during the first 11 months of 2025, a lead that’s expected to hold through December despite shorter daylight hours.
The shift was fueled by a 24% jump in installed solar capacity this year, driving a 42% surge in actual output. Demand from AI and crypto mining made renewables and batteries a top pick for utilities.
Speaking of crypto mining: Texas crypto mines reportedly consumed 14.7 MWh of electricity in 2024—more than the residential usage of San Antonio, El Paso, and Garland combined. The state’s 22 registered large-scale mines now account for ~3% of the entire Texas grid output, consuming enough power to support 1M+ homes for a year.