US solar power surpasses coal generation for first time

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.