What's happened
In May, solar supplied 12.8% of the United States' electricity, surpassing coal for the first time, while coal accounted for 12.2%. Solar has become the third-largest source behind natural gas and nuclear, with expectations that solar will overtake coal on an annual basis within a few years. Trump has announced a plan to bolster the coal industry.
What's behind the headline?
Key takeaways
- Solar is now a more prominent power source than coal in May data, signaling a structural shift in the energy mix.
- Coal’s decline appears persistent despite political efforts to protect the industry, indicating a long-term trend toward cleaner sources.
- The pace of solar growth continues even as federal support fluctuates, underscoring investor confidence and policy gaps.
What’s driving change
- Demand for power to support AI, manufacturing, and electrification is increasing overall electricity consumption, boosting solar’s share.
- Solar, along with battery storage, dominates new capacity additions, suggesting continued expansion ahead of other technologies.
What to watch
- Whether solar will overtake coal on an annual basis in the coming years will depend on policy, financing, and permitting dynamics.
- States’ deployment decisions will shape regional growth and grid readiness.
How we got here
The data come from Ember, SEIA, and Wood Mackenzie, illustrating a sustained shift in the U.S. energy mix despite policy headwinds. Solar capacity has grown while coal generation has fallen to historic lows, with solar also remaining the top source of new power for five years. States like Texas, Florida, and Ohio are leading solar installations, and total U.S. solar installations exceed 6 million.
Our analysis
Ember, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and Wood Mackenzie; coverage from The Independent, AP News, and other outlets corroborates the trend.
Go deeper
- What factors could accelerate or slow solar’s growth in the next year?
- How might federal energy policy affect coal and solar investments in the short term?
- Which states are driving the most solar installations and why?
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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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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Donald Trump - 45th and 47th U.S. President
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.