What's happened
Solar power has for May provided more electricity than coal for the first time, reaching 12.8% vs 12.2% and signaling a lasting shift toward renewables amid policy headwinds. Emitted by Ember, SEIA and Wood Mackenzie, the data show solar remains the leading source for new power as coal declines. Trump’s plan to bolster coal faces industry pushback.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- Solar is staying power in the U.S. energy mix, overtaking coal in May and continuing a multi-year trend toward renewables.
- The data come as the Trump administration pursues pro-coal policies, creating a clash between political objectives and market signals.
- Investors are prioritizing returns from solar, which remains the fastest-growing fuel for power generation despite policy headwinds.
- The shift could accelerate if solar costs continue to decline and battery storage expands, potentially reshaping grid planning and energy security.
Forecast: More months are likely to see solar exceed coal, with annual overtaking in the next few years as renewables scale and policy support fluctuates.
How we got here
The data show solar’s rise in the US electricity mix despite federal policy headwinds. Ember, SEIA and Wood Mackenzie provide monthly and hourly insights, with solar now the third-largest U.S. electricity source behind natural gas and nuclear.
Our analysis
According to Ember, with data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and analyses by SEIA and Wood Mackenzie, several outlets (Independent Business, AP News, Guardian) report solar overtaking coal in May for the U.S. electricity mix. The Guardian and NYT Business highlight the policy context around Trump’s energy stance and its impact on renewables. Bloomberg provides the industrial context of solar surpassing gas generation in California, signaling solar’s broader growth.
Go deeper
- Is solar’s rise tied mainly to policy shifts or to ongoing cost declines?
- How will storage tech affect the durability of solar’s leadership in the grid?
- What does this mean for coal communities and energy prices in the next year?
More on these topics
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Wood Mackenzie - Chemicals company
Wood Mackenzie, also known as WoodMac is a global energy, chemicals, renewables, metals and mining research and consultancy group with an international reputation for supplying comprehensive data, written analysis and consultancy advice.
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Solar Energy Industries Association - Non-profit
The Solar Energy Industries Association, established in 1974, is the national non-profit trade association of the solar-energy industry in the United States. In 2019, the group reported at least 1,000 member companies. SEIA is a 5016 non-profit trade asso
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United States - Country in North America
The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Associated Press - News agency company
The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. Its members are U.S. newspapers and broadcasters.
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Environment America Action Fund
Environment America is a federation of state-based environmental advocacy organizations in the United States. The organization researches and advocates for environmental policies through lobbying, litigation, and the mobilization of public support.
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California - US State
California is a state in the Pacific Region of the United States. With 39.5 million residents across a total area of about 163,696 square miles, California is the most populous U.S. state and the third-largest by area, and is also the world's thirty-fourt