US solar power surpasses coal generation for first time | PiQ Markets
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US solar power surpasses coal generation for first time
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IN SHORT
Solar power has surpassed coal in U.S. electricity generation for the first time in May 2026, supplying 12.8% of the nation's electricity compared to coal's 12.2%. This milestone occurs as solar continues to dominate new energy capacity installations, leading for 28 consecutive months ending last year. Concurrently, Qcells has begun solar cell production at its Georgia factory, a move aimed at reducing reliance on imported Asian solar equipment. The rise of solar is also fueled by DIY plug-in systems gaining traction amid rising energy costs and supportive state laws, a trend already popular in Europe.
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Key Numbers
12.8%solar electricity generation in May 2026
12.2%coal electricity generation in May 2026
28consecutive months of solar leading new energy capacity
Who's Involved
Solar power
energy source surpassing coal in U.S. electricity generation
Coal
energy source surpassed by solar in U.S. electricity generation
President Donald Trump
U.S. President whose policies favor coal
Qcells
U.S. solar arm of Hanwha beginning cell production
Hanwha
parent company of Qcells
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
source of data on new energy capacity installations
DIY plug-in solar systems
consumer energy solutions gaining traction
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Key facts
Solar power generated 12.8% of U.S. electricity in May 2026.
Coal generated 12.2% of U.S. electricity in May 2026.
Solar power surpassed coal generation for the first time in May 2026.
Solar has been the largest source of new U.S. energy capacity installations for 28 consecutive months.
Qcells has begun solar cell production at its Cartersville, Georgia factory.
DIY plug-in solar systems are gaining popularity in the U.S.
Rising energy costs are contributing to the popularity of DIY solar.
New state laws are supporting the adoption of DIY solar.
DIY solar systems have been popular in Europe.
President Donald Trump's policies favor coal.
Solar power generated more electricity than coal in the U.S. for the first time in May 2026, supplying 12.8% of the nation's electricity compared to coal's 12.2%. This significant milestone in the nation's energy transition occurs despite President Donald Trump's policies favoring coal and the current administration's rollback of clean energy incentives.
Solar power has also remained the largest source of new energy capacity installations in the U.S. for 28 consecutive months, concluding at the end of last year, according to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) data. In parallel, Qcells, the U.S. solar arm of Korea's Hanwha, has started making solar cells at its Cartersville, Georgia factory. This marks a significant step in the U.S. push to reduce reliance on imported solar equipment from Asia.
Furthermore, DIY plug-in solar systems are gaining popularity in the U.S. due to rising energy costs and new state laws. This approach to electricity generation, which has been popular in Europe for some time, offers consumers a more accessible way to generate their own power.
↳ Why This Matters
Solar power generated more electricity than coal in the U.S. for the first time in May 2026, supplying 12.8% of the nation's electricity compared to coal's 12.2%. This significant milestone in the nation's energy transition occurs despite President Donald Trump's policies favoring coal and the current administration's rollback of clean energy incentives.
Frequently asked questions
In May, solar power supplied 12.8% of the nation's electricity.
Coal provided 12.2% of the nation's electricity in May.
Solar is now the third-largest source of electricity in the U.S., behind natural gas and nuclear power.
President Trump actively supports the U.S. coal industry and has implemented policies that have slowed clean energy permitting and development.
What Happens Next
01Solar is expected to exceed coal generation on an annual basis in the coming years.
02Plaintiffs have a filing pending in the Court of Federal Claims regarding the cancellation of the Solar for All program.
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