Despite federal efforts to prioritize coal, solar power continues setting new benchmarks in the United States and leads all sources in added electricity capacity.

Information published Wednesday from the energy research group Ember together with findings from the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie highlight ongoing solar expansion and coal reduction nationwide. During May solar provided more national electricity than coal for the first time at 12.8 percent according to Ember while coal contributed 12.2 percent marking its fourth-lowest monthly level on record.

Nicolas Fulghum senior energy and data analyst at Ember noted that solar has steadily increased its share of the US electricity mix over multiple years while coal has steadily lost ground after previously holding the top position.

Fulghum added that solar rose to the third-largest electricity source in May trailing only natural gas and nuclear. Coal output reached a record monthly low in April and rose only slightly in May allowing solar to surpass it.

Power generation converts energy from fossil fuels renewables and nuclear into electricity. Combustion of coal oil and natural gas releases carbon dioxide that warms the atmosphere whereas solar wind geothermal hydropower and nuclear produce no carbon emissions.

Following roughly twenty years of stable US electricity use demand is now rising to support artificial intelligence expanded manufacturing and the shift to electric vehicles and heating. Fulghum anticipates additional months of solar surpassing coal before annual solar output exceeds coal within several years.

These developments demonstrate solar resilience even with reduced federal backing for renewables he stated.

Combined wind and solar have previously exceeded coal and wind alone has outpaced coal in spring periods of higher wind activity. Ember sources its hourly and monthly figures from the US Energy Information Administration.

Worldwide renewable electricity generation is expanding quickly and is projected to supply nearly 45 percent of global power by 2030 according to the International Energy Agency.

Last week the president unveiled measures to aid the coal sector including nearly 700 million dollars for coal plants and exports. He described coal as an excellent business with unmatched power capabilities during a White House gathering.

Martin Pochtaruk chief executive of Canadian solar manufacturer Heliene observed that investors will back technologies offering the strongest returns and solar currently leads in growth for power generation.

A White House representative stated that administration energy policies aim to enhance national security.

The president has reversed prior policies preserved the coal sector avoided retirement of over 17 gigawatts of capacity and protected lives amid peak demand periods Taylor Rogers said in a statement.

Although the administration seeks to halt coal decline solar has led new power additions for five consecutive years SEIA reported. The group and Wood Mackenzie noted solar plus battery storage accounted for 91 percent of all new capacity added in the first quarter.

The administration has halted certain solar and wind initiatives slowed clean energy approvals and ended 7 billion dollars in funding for affordable solar projects nationwide.

Darren Van t Hof interim leader of SEIA warned that blocking the sole sector actively adding new power risks higher electricity costs amid surging demand.

Multiple organizations filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency regarding termination of the Solar for All initiative. A district court dismissed the matter last week for jurisdictional reasons with further action pending in the Court of Federal Claims.

On Saturday a federal judge invalidated Internal Revenue Service guidance that had limited tax credits for wind and solar developments.

The president has attributed rising energy prices to renewables yet analysts link recent increases to higher demand aging infrastructure and severe weather intensified by climate change. The recent conflict involving Iran has further contributed to price spikes.

States carried by the president in the 2024 election represented 74 percent of new solar capacity installed in the first quarter of 2026. Leading contributors included Texas Florida Ohio Indiana Michigan Arizona and Mississippi SEIA stated. Nationwide installations now surpass 6 million across utility commercial community and residential sectors.

Johanna Neumann of the Environment America Research and Policy Center described continued solar growth as positive for health and the environment and consistent with expectations.

Neumann noted solar is now the most affordable energy option scalable and the most abundant renewable resource making it difficult to restrain given favorable economics.

Environment America data indicate 32 states derived at least 10 percent of retail electricity sales from solar wind and geothermal last year up from 18 states in 2016. Clean energy expansion is particularly strong in southern states including Florida Arkansas and Mississippi she added.

Neumann emphasized that renewable energy development spans all fifty states rather than being limited to coastal or urban areas.