12/06/2026
Great news for Solar Energy in the USA🌞
energy has reached a significant milestone in the US, with recent data showing it has overtaken coal in monthly electricity generation for the first time. The shift reflects a longer-term structural transition in the U.S. power system, driven by expanding solar capacity and the continued decline of coal-fired generation.
Data released by the global energy think tank Ember, alongside analysis from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie, shows that in May solar supplied 12.8% of U.S. electricity, while coal supplied 12.2%. This made solar the first renewable source to exceed coal over a full month on record in the U.S. electricity mix. Coal also recorded one of its lowest monthly shares ever, continuing a persistent long-term decline.
Ember data indicates that solar has steadily increased its share of generation over recent years, while coal has lost ground as older plants retire and remain less competitive in many markets. Solar is now the third-largest source of electricity in the United States, behind natural gas and nuclear power.
generation reached an all-time monthly low in April and recovered only slightly in May, but not enough to match the growth in solar output. The result highlights how seasonal variability and rapid renewable expansion are reshaping short-term generation balances across the grid.
generation refers to the conversion of primary energy sources such as fossil fuels, renewables, and nuclear power into electricity. Coal, oil, and natural gas generate power through combustion, which produces carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change. Renewable technologies such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, along with nuclear energy, produce little or no direct emissions during operation.
Analysts expect further months in which solar exceeds coal, with the possibility of an annual crossover within the coming years if current trends continue. This occurs even amid shifting policy support, suggesting that cost and deployment dynamics remain strong drivers of solar growth.
Historically, and solar combined have already exceeded coal generation during certain periods, and wind alone has surpassed coal in specific seasonal conditions. Ember draws its figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Globally, renewable energy continues to expand rapidly. The International Energy Agency projects that renewables could account for nearly 45% of global electricity generation by 2030, becoming the largest source of electricity worldwide.
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https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/solar-beat-coal-us-grid
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It’s the first time that's happened across an entire month, and it comes despite the Trump administration’s efforts to reinvigorate coal and hamper solar.
