Solar generates more energy than coal in US for 1st time: Report
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Key Points:
- In May 2026, solar power generation in the U.S. surpassed coal for the first time, with solar providing 12.8% of electricity compared to coal's 12.2%, according to Ember's analysis of official data.
- Solar energy production reached a record 45.5 terawatt-hours in May 2026, a 17% increase from May 2025, while coal power generation has nearly halved over the past five years.
- The U.S. added 7.8 gigawatts of new solar capacity in Q1 2026, with over 6 million solar installations nationwide, driven partly by rising electricity demand from tech companies and data centers.
- Despite federal efforts under the Trump administration to support coal through over $700 million in funding and cancellation of key solar programs like Solar for All, solar remains the fastest-growing electricity source in the U.S.
- States won by Trump in the 2024 election accounted for 74% of new solar capacity installed in early 2026, highlighting strong solar growth even in regions traditionally associated with fossil fuels.