Key facts
- Solar power generated more electricity than coal in the U.S. for the first time in May 2026.
- Solar supplied 12.8% of U.S. electricity in May, while coal provided 12.2%.
- Coal generation reached an all-time monthly low in April 2026.
- Solar is now the third-largest source of U.S. electricity, behind natural gas and nuclear.
- President Donald Trump is actively promoting the U.S. coal industry.
Solar power has surpassed coal as a source of electricity in the United States for the first time in May 2026, according to data from the energy think tank Ember. Solar supplied 12.8% of the nation's electricity during the month, while coal accounted for 12.2%, marking a significant shift in the U.S. power mix. This development occurs even as President Donald Trump actively promotes the U.S. coal industry and has implemented policies that have slowed clean energy development.
Coal generation hit an all-time monthly low in April 2026 and only saw a modest rebound in May, allowing solar's increasing share to overtake it. Solar has now become the third-largest source of electricity in the U.S., trailing only natural gas and nuclear power. Five years prior, coal generated 19.7% of U.S. electricity in May, while solar accounted for just 5.4%.
Analysts note that solar power has been steadily rising in the U.S. electricity mix for years, while coal has gradually lost its status. Electricity demand in the U.S. is increasing due to artificial intelligence, manufacturing growth, and the electrification of transportation and heating. Experts anticipate more months where solar generation exceeds coal, with an annual crossover expected within a few years.
Despite federal policies that have historically supported renewable energy, President Trump has announced plans to invest nearly $700 million to support coal-fired power plants and exports, stating that coal remains a vital business. However, industry leaders suggest that investor decisions are driven by returns, and solar is currently the fastest-growing fuel source. A White House spokeswoman defended the administration's energy policies, citing their role in strengthening national security and preventing the retirement of power plants.