Solar tops coal in U.S. electricity generation for first full month
Solar supplied 12.8% of U.S. power in May, ahead of coal at 12.2%, as solar output rose 17.0% year over year and coal generation fell 11.0%.
Fact Check
The Ember primary analysis confirms solar reached 12.8% and coal 12.2% of US electricity in May 2026, the first month on record solar topped coal. Electrek, citing Ember, confirms the exact YoY changes (solar +17%, coal -11%) matching the claim precisely. The Guardian and other outlets independently corroborate. Every numeric and qualitative element of the claim aligns with authoritative sourcing.
Summary
Solar accounted for 12.8% of U.S. electricity production in May, overtaking coal's 12.2% share for the first time in a full calendar month. The shift was driven by a 17.0% year-over-year increase in solar generation and an 11.0% decline in coal output, extending a longer-running change in the U.S. power mix as utilities add renewable capacity and coal plants lose ground.
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