Solar power generates more energy than coal in the US for the first time ever

Solar power has officially generated more electricity than coal in the US for the first time ever, which is a huge moment for the country’s energy industry.

New data revealed that solar energy overtook coal during May 2026, something that would have seemed almost impossible just a decade ago.

The milestone highlights the rapid growth of renewable energy across America, with solar installations expanding at a record pace.

It also shows the dramatic decline of coal, which was once the dominant source of electricity generation in the US.

Solar power generates more energy than coal in the US

According to a tech report from energy think tank Ember, solar power supplied 12.8 percent of US electricity in May 2026, narrowly beating coal’s 12.2 percent share.

It marks the first time on record that solar has generated more electricity than coal in a single month.

The achievement was driven by a combination of growing solar panel installations and good seasonal conditions, and it follows a milestone moment of renewable energy outstripping natural gas for the first time in history.

Solar generation reached a record 45.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) during May, representing a 17 percent increase compared to the same month in 2025.

According to the report, it seems that analysts expect that figure could rise even further during June and July, when solar production typically peaks.

Meanwhile, the role that the old-school rock that’s dug out of mines in the US energy mix continues to decrease.

Coal accounted for nearly 20 percent of US electricity generation in May 2021, but that figure has fallen to just 12.2 percent five years later.

Even though generation increased slightly compared to April, it remained 11 percent lower than the same month last year.

Coal’s decline comes as the sun’s power continues to grow

The latest figures are another sign of how quickly America’s electricity system is changing.

Solar has become one of the fastest-growing sources of power in the country, supported by falling technology costs and growing demand for cleaner energy sources.

Solar remains the leading source of new electricity generation capacity being added to the US grid, helping it steadily gain ground against traditional fossil fuels.

While natural gas remains America’s largest source of electricity, the latest data shows renewables are continuing to expand their share of the market.

For the solar industry, surpassing coal represents a symbolic turning point.

Coal powered much of America’s growth throughout the 20th century, but the sun is now generating more electricity than the fuel that once dominated the nation’s power plants.