US solar power plants surpass coal power plants in electricity generation for the first time in May



06/12/2026 2:51 AM


In May, solar power plants (SPS) produced 12.8% of the total electricity generation in the US, while coal-fired power plants contributed 12.2%, based on analysis by the think tank Ember.



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This indicates that renewable energy production has surpassed fossil fuel-based power generation for the first time in a month. Natural gas continues to be the leading source of electricity, representing 37%, as reported by Ember.

According to Ember senior analyst Nicolas Fulghum, this represents a transformation in the US energy system. Businesses are aiming to boost electricity production swiftly and consider solar energy as an affordable, attainable, and swiftly installable option, he stated.

SSP production in May rose by 17% relative to the same month a year ago, whereas coal-based electricity generation fell by 11%.

According to a report by Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar power and storage systems together represented 91% of new installed capacity in the US during the first quarter. This trend is expected to persist as utility companies and data center managers increasingly view solar energy paired with batteries as a crucial electricity source.

source: cnbc.com

 


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