REUTERS reports that solar power was the top source of utility-scale renewable electricity worldwide between May and August 2024, exceeding generation from wind farms for the longest period on record.

In May and June specifically, solar electricity generation exceeded wind generation by 1.65 terawatt hours (TWh), and 9.57 TWh respectively, according to energy think tank Ember.

While the data on global generation for July and August is yet to be released, these months are likely to show an even larger surplus compared with wind given that they’re typically the sunniest months across the northern hemisphere. August also usually marks the typical annual low point for global wind generation due to low wind speeds at turbine level.

From September, solar output levels are expected to dip in line with the changing angle of the sun’s rays. At that point, wind output will outpace solar generation, particularly as wind speeds increase over the winter months.

Total wind-powered electricity generation during 2024 as a whole is expected to exceed total solar generation by at least 30%. This is because during the peak wind generation period in winter, wind output can be more than twice solar output.