A Historic Turning Point: How Solar Power Has Surpassed Coal

For the first time, renewable energy has overtaken coal in global electricity generation, based on a new analysis from the clean energy research firm Ember.

It’s a historic shift and lands perfectly in time for Climate Action Week 2025, when Ireland and the world pause to reflect on how far we’ve come in tackling climate change and how much further we can go.

Around the world, solar panels and wind turbines are now producing more power than coal-fired stations. It’s not a forecast, not a target, but a measurable reality. The sun and the wind have officially outpaced one of the most carbon intensive energy sources on the planet.

This is a remarkable milestone for clean energy, and a powerful signal that the future has already arrived. What was once the “alternative” is now the main act. And while the numbers are global, the implications are deeply local, right down to the rooftops of homes and businesses in north east Ireland.

Here in this corner of the island, solar energy is beginning to reshape how we power our lives. It’s creating local jobs, reducing electricity bills, and helping to cut the carbon emissions that drive climate change. Companies like ours, Eco Energy Improvements, are part of that movement, proving that the global transition toward renewables isn’t happening somewhere else, but right here in our communities.

A Global Shift with Local Meaning

The cost of solar panels has fallen by more than 80% in the past ten years, while their efficiency has steadily increased. Wind turbines have grown larger and more productive, and energy storage technology is improving faster than anyone predicted.

In the first half of 2025, global data confirmed that renewables now generate more electricity than coal. Solar alone accounted for more than 80% of new electricity demand. It's a staggering figure when you consider how small the industry was just a generation ago.

There’s symbolism in this moment. For over a century, coal has been synonymous with industrial power, national progress, and, unfortunately, climate damage. To see solar and wind surpass it isn’t just a change in technology; it’s a change in story. Humanity has proved that clean energy isn’t just possible — it’s better.

Ireland’s Solar Potential

When people picture solar power, they often imagine deserts or tropical regions drenched in sunlight. Ireland, with its famously unpredictable skies, rarely makes the list. But that assumption misses the science. Solar panels don’t need blazing heat, they need light, and Ireland has plenty of it.

Modern photovoltaic systems are remarkably efficient, even in overcast conditions. In fact, cooler temperatures can improve panel performance. That’s why solar installations across the north east — from Louth and Meath to Monaghan and Cavan — are delivering strong, consistent energy output year-round.

In recent years, government grants through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have made solar more accessible to homeowners and businesses. At the same time, improved microgeneration policies now allow solar producers to sell excess power back to the grid, creating an incentive to produce clean energy locally.

The result is a quiet but steady transformation. Rooftops that once sat idle are now generating electricity. Farms are installing panels to power operations. Businesses are investing in solar to reduce costs and improve sustainability credentials. Step by step, solar energy is becoming part of the fabric of everyday life in the north east.

Some local businesses powered by Eco Energy Improvements

The Role of Local Solar Installers

Behind every solar panel installed is a network of expertise of designers, electricians, engineers, and installers. In regions like ours, that local knowledge is crucial.

At Eco Energy Improvements, based in Dundalk, we’ve seen first-hand how the renewable energy revolution plays out on the ground. Our team specialises in solar installations across north east Ireland, and what sets our work apart is how personal it is. Each home or business has different needs, different roof angles, different energy habits. Installing solar isn’t a one-size-fits-all process; it’s a conversation between technology, site, and ambition.

We design each system to make the most of Ireland’s unique light conditions and to integrate seamlessly with existing electrical systems. Some of our clients choose to include battery storage, allowing them to store excess electricity for use at night or during peak demand hours. Others pair their systems with electric vehicle chargers or heat pumps for even greater efficiency.

But the impact of these systems goes beyond technical performance. Every installation is a step toward local energy independence. It reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels, cuts exposure to volatile energy prices, and strengthens community resilience.

Climate Action in Practice

The phrase “Climate Action Week” can sound abstract, but its purpose is simple: to encourage people and businesses to take real, practical steps toward sustainability.

For homeowners, that might mean learning more about renewable energy options, booking a solar consultation, or exploring SEAI grants. For businesses, it might mean conducting an energy audit or investing in on-site generation. And for communities, it might mean launching local energy cooperatives or hosting educational events to raise awareness.

A typical solar installation can reduce a household’s electricity bills by 50–70%, with most systems paying for themselves within a few years. When combined with available grants and the ability to sell surplus power back to the grid, the economics make even more sense. And the environmental impact is significant: every kilowatt of solar installed helps Ireland reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and move closer to net zero emissions.

From Local Action to Global Impact

The idea that installing solar panels on a single home in Louth could somehow connect to a global energy milestone might sound far-fetched. But that’s exactly how change happens — through accumulation. Millions of small decisions, made by individuals and families and businesses, add up to structural transformation.

When the world’s renewable energy generation overtook coal, it wasn’t because of one massive wind farm or one government policy. It was because of thousands of installers, companies, and communities doing their part, including those in places like north east Ireland.

Our region may not be the sunniest place on Earth, but it’s playing its part in one of the most important shifts in human history. Each installation here contributes to the broader transition away from fossil fuels. Each inverter humming quietly in a loft or on a factory wall is part of a global chorus of clean energy production.

The Challenges Ahead

For all the celebration, the job isn’t finished. The world’s electricity system is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, and coal’s decline needs to accelerate further to keep climate goals within reach.

In Ireland, the solar industry faces its own challenges. Grid capacity needs upgrading to handle distributed generation. Planning and permitting can still slow projects down. And while costs have fallen dramatically, up-front affordability remains a hurdle for some households.

But these are solvable problems. What’s most important is that the direction of travel is now clear. Solar and wind are scaling faster than any other energy source in history, and Ireland is positioned to benefit from that growth.

With the right policy support and continued public engagement, the next few years could see the north east become one of the country’s leading regions for solar adoption.

Why the North East Matters

The north east of Ireland is uniquely suited to lead this shift. It’s a region with a strong sense of community, an appetite for innovation, and a practical understanding of energy efficiency, born from decades of adapting to changing economic and environmental realities.

From the border counties to the coast, the potential for solar generation is substantial. There are thousands of rooftops — residential, commercial, agricultural — that could be producing their own clean power. Every time one of those rooftops gets fitted with solar panels, the benefits stay local: lower bills, reduced emissions, and skilled jobs for local electricians, surveyors, and installers.

At Eco Energy Improvements, that local focus drives everything we do. We’re not a faceless energy giant. We’re part of this community. Our team lives and works here, and we want to see the region thrive economically and environmentally.

A Turning Point Worth Celebrating

In north east Ireland, we’re proud to be part of that story. Every solar panel we install represents a vote for cleaner air, lower bills, and a brighter future.

So as Climate Action Week unfolds, we invite everyone — homeowners, businesses, and community groups — to look up at their roofs and imagine the potential sitting there, untapped. The technology exists. The momentum is here. And the world has just proven that renewables can lead.

Now it’s our turn to build on that success, to make the north east a beacon of sustainable progress. Because the future of energy isn’t somewhere far away, it’s in the heart of our own communities.