Renewables Realities, at Least for Now

In USAmerica in 2023,
there are about 45,476 employees working in the coal mining industry
the solar industry employed 279,447
a 5.9% increase, or 15,564 new jobs, compared to 2022.
Solar has shown consistent job growth for years now.

About 90% of new installed electric capacity in 2024 was renewables
Coal was less than 1%

Since many old coal power plants were retired, coal-fired capacity actually declined in 2024 and coal had its lowest growth rate in 20 years globally.

Average cost of solar: $29/MWh to $92/MWh
Onshore wind projects: $27/MWh to $73/MWh
In 2024, the average cost of new coal-fired power generation rose to $46 per MWh, with prices increasing