Historic Graph: Solar Electricity Surpasses Coal Electricity In USA

In May 2026, solar power in the US surpassed coal power in electricity generation for the first time ever, with solar providing 12.8% of the total compared to coal's 12.2%. This marks a significant milestone in the transition towards renewable energy sources, with coal generation declining by 11% year over year. Solar power has been steadily rising and setting new records, becoming the third-largest source of electricity in the US behind gas and nuclear. The shift towards renewable energy sources is evident in the significant growth of solar power over the past five years, highlighting the progress towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy system. Solar power is becoming increasingly popular in the US, with markets from Texas to California investing in solar to meet growing power needs, and in ERCOT, electricity generation from solar is projected to exceed coal for the first time in 2026. This shift towards solar energy is a significant development in the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/19/historic-graph-solar-electricity-surpasses-coal-electricity-in-usa/