Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsNo. Wind alone did not generate more U.S. electricity than coal over the full year 2025. Wind supplied about 11% of utility-scale generation, compared with coal’s roughly 17%. The milestone was that wind and solar combined exceeded coal—not wind by itself.
Wind versus coal: the full-year 2025 comparison
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that wind generated 464,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in 2025, 3% more than in 2024. Yet wind’s share of utility-scale generation was about 11%, while coal’s was about 17%. On an annual, like-for-like comparison of utility-scale generation, coal remained ahead of wind. EIA’s 2025 generation summary gives the wind and coal shares.
These percentages describe electricity generated, not installed capacity. A comparison of capacity would answer a different question: how much generating equipment exists, rather than how much electricity it produced during the year.
Did wind and solar together overtake coal?
Yes, when compared on the same utility-scale basis. EIA reports that utility-scale wind and solar generated a combined 760,000 GWh in 2025—88,000 GWh more than in 2024—and together supplied 17% of utility-scale generation. That is the combined total for two sources; it should not be described as wind alone surpassing coal. EIA’s figures also separate utility-scale generation from small-scale solar.
#1 Best Overall
- FIFTH-GENERATION WIND TURBINE KIT: Updated version of the best-selling STEM kit about wind power and energy, kids can make their own wind turbine to explore this renewable energy source.
- OPTIMIZED FOR INDOOR & OUTDOOR USE: Design includes a new blade hub and gear ratio to enhance performance in outdoor wind and with indoor fan setups.
- WHAT YOU LEARN: Dive into the technology behind one of the most promising sources of clean energy, how it has been used it the past, and how it is used today.
- INCLUDES ELECTRIC MODEL CAR: Use your turbine to generate and store electricity to power a model car in just two minutes—no batteries required!
- GUIDED JOURNEY THROUGH WIND POWER: The 32-page, full-color manual provides illustrated step-by-step assembly instructions and easy-to-understand explanations about the scientific concepts at work.
Why some 2025 comparisons show a larger renewable lead
Climate Central’s analysis of EIA data includes small-scale solar in its total-solar figure. On that broader scope, wind and solar together supplied 19% of U.S. generation in 2025, compared with coal at 16%. The analysis reports wind generation at 464,391 GWh and says coal generation fell 41% from 2016 to 2025. Its underlying EIA data, accessed March 9, 2026, were preliminary estimates. Climate Central explains its 2025 comparison and data scope.
The EIA and Climate Central results are not contradictory: one EIA comparison reports utility-scale generation, while Climate Central’s combined wind-and-solar share includes small-scale solar. For a fair comparison, keep the year, geography, metric, and scope consistent—and do not compare wind plus solar against coal as though the figure were wind alone.
Rank #2
- The windmill generator uses green science to harness wind power and light an LED bulb.
- This kit contains all the materials needed to build a 5-inch windmill generator with LED light. Just add a recycled soda bottle.
- An enclosed pamphlet contains fun facts about renewable energy.
- Detailed assembly instructions included.
- Recommended for ages 8 years and up.
What generation share does—and does not—tell you
A source’s share of annual electricity generation does not by itself show whether it can supply power whenever demand calls for it. EIA describes wind and solar as intermittent: “Wind and solar are considered intermittent electricity sources, meaning they only produce electricity when the resource (wind or sun) is available, unlike dispatchable power plants.” Coal, natural gas, and nuclear are among the dispatchable sources EIA identifies. Together, dispatchable sources supplied 75% of U.S. utility-scale generation in 2025. Dispatchability describes an operational characteristic; it does not mean every dispatchable plant runs continuously.
EIA defines a utility-scale power plant as one with at least 1 megawatt (MW) of generating capacity. Its 2025 figures treat utility-scale wind and solar separately from small-scale solar, which is why the scope matters when reading national percentages.
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- Build and experiment with a real, working 3-foot tall wind turbine to learn how wind is one of the most promising sources of clean, renewable energy available today.
- Single-piece blade construction for improved durability and better aerodynamics.
- Generate electricity to charge a battery and power a small model car.
- New weatherproof battery box can be left outside!
- Includes stakes to secure the turbine to the ground.
What the annual data cannot answer
These figures settle the full-year 2025 comparison: wind alone did not exceed coal, while wind and solar combined did. Annual totals do not establish when, or how often, wind alone may have generated more than coal over shorter monthly or hourly periods.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Realistic Wind Turbine Model: This wind turbine model toy mimics a real wind turbine to scale, and the most interesting thing is that its blades can also turn.
- 21.65inch Large Size Model: Compared to other ordinary wind turbine models, this wind turbine model has a large size, which can be installed up to 55cm/ 21.65inch.
- Wind-up Wind Turbine: This windmill toy adopts wind-up design that enables the blades turn automatically after it gets winded up. To wind it up, we just need to turn its blades clockwise for several rounds.
- Learn While Playing: This model of a wind turbine is not only a toy, but also a scientific and educational tool. It can guide children to understand the role of wind and inertia more intuitively, and cultivate children's interest in science.
- Suitable for Multiple Occasions: Kids can play with this windmill toy on their own or DIY transform it in the company of their parents. Teachers can also use it as an improvised teaching tool in the classroom.
Rank #4
- Material: ABS engineering plastics;Net weight: approx. 147g
- A great replica of a Wind Powered Turbine, which is powered by sunlight shining on a solar panel in the base.
- It is a great desk model for an executive or an educational item to assist children understands the change between Solar Power and wind power.
- It is a great gift for your child, for your friend, for your client, and everyone who is interested in this product.Easy assemble. No glue required, No battery required.
- What's You Get: 1 x Solar Powered Rotating Base,1 x Tray,1 x windmill
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