Solar power surpassed coal in the US electricity mix for the first time on record in May 2026, according to an analysis by Ember based on official monthly generation data and preliminary hourly records. Solar accounted for a record 12.8% of US electricity generation, compared with 12.2% for coal.

During the month, solar generation reached an all-time high of 45.5 TWh, up 17% from May 2025. As a result, solar became the third-largest source of electricity in the United States, behind only natural gas and nuclear power.

Solar Continues to Gain Ground

The growth in solar output allowed the technology to overtake coal despite a slight rebound in coal generation from April levels. Coal-fired power plants generated 43.4 TWh in May, although output remained 11% lower than in May 2025.

The milestone follows coal’s record-low monthly generation of 39.3 TWh in April 2026, highlighting the sector’s long-term decline.

According to Ember, the trend reflects a structural shift in the US power sector. Over the past five years, coal’s share of the electricity mix has fallen from 19.7% in May 2021 to 12.2% in May 2026, while solar’s share has more than doubled, rising from 5.4% to 12.8% over the same period.

Graphic by Revie Energy - Data: Ember

Another Clean Energy Milestone

Solar’s rise above coal comes just months after another major milestone was reached in March 2026, when renewable energy sources collectively generated more electricity than natural gas for the first time in the United States.

Ember said these developments underscore the growing role of clean power in the US electricity system, even amid a challenging policy environment for renewable energy projects.

Nicolas Fulghum, Senior Data Analyst at Ember, said solar power has evolved from a niche contributor into one of the country’s leading electricity sources. He noted that markets across the US, from Texas to California, are increasingly relying on solar generation to meet rising electricity demand.

Key figures for May 2026