Fact-check: “Solar power is now cheaper than coal in most countries”
Verdict: Mostly True (78% confidence)
The claim holds up well when comparing new utility-scale solar to new coal plants — the IEA, IRENA, and peer-reviewed research all support it. IRENA's 2025 report on 2024 data found solar PV averaged 41% cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternative, and 91% of new utility-scale renewable capacity beat the cheapest new fossil option. The main qualification is that 'cheaper than coal' is much stronger for new-build comparisons than for the operating costs of already-paid-for existing coal…
This fact-check was conducted by SpinkillerAI, a non-partisan AI-powered accountability platform.
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