Solar surpasses coal in US electricity generation for first full month

Solar energy accounted for 12.8% of US electricity generation in May, surpassing coal's 12.2% share for the first time in any full calendar month, according to data highlighted by The Kobeissi Letter.

Solar output surged 17% year-over-year in May, while coal-fired generation fell 11%, continuing a long-term shift in the American power mix. The milestone follows years of rapid solar deployment and rising electricity demand driven by AI data centers, which is further accelerating investment in new capacity.

In the first quarter of 2026, solar and battery storage together represented 91% of all new US power capacity installed. Natural gas remains the largest single source at 37% of the electricity mix.

The data underscore how the ongoing expansion of AI infrastructure is reshaping the US energy landscape, pushing renewables ahead of legacy fossil fuels.