Analysis of official monthly and hourly power generation data reveals a significant shift in the US energy landscape. In May, solar power generation in the United States exceeded coal-fired generation for the first time ever.
Data shows that solar power accounted for a record 12.8% of the nation's electricity supply in May. In contrast, coal's share fell to 12.2%, marking its fourth-lowest monthly share on record. Natural gas remained the primary source, contributing 37% of the power supply in May.
A senior data analyst at the think tank Ember, Nicolas Fulghum, commented on the milestone, stating, "Solar surpassing coal for the first time in a single month demonstrates the remarkable progress solar has made, evolving from a niche energy source into the third-largest and fastest-growing source of power in the US system."
Over the past five years, coal's contribution to the US power mix has declined by 38%. Conversely, solar's share has more than doubled during the same period.
The data indicates solar generation reached a record 45.5 terawatt-hours in May, a 17% increase year-over-year, surpassing the previous record set in July 2025. Ember notes this record is likely to be broken again in the coming months.
Meanwhile, coal generation in May was 43.4 terawatt-hours, down 11% year-over-year, though slightly higher than the monthly low of 39.3 terawatt-hours set in April.
Growing Calls for Policy Reform
A separate report from the US Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie highlights another trend. The US added 7.8 gigawatts of new solar capacity in the first quarter, a 27% decrease compared to the first quarter of 2025 and a 42% drop from the fourth quarter of 2025.
The report states, "Despite changes to tax policies and regulations for clean energy, solar and storage accounted for a staggering 91% of all new generating capacity added in the first quarter. This surge is driven by utilities, homeowners, and businesses seeking energy security amid global disruptions to natural gas and gas turbine supplies."
The interim president and CEO of the US Solar Energy Industries Association, Darren Van’t Hof, emphasized the urgency, saying, "In a time of volatile fuel prices, energy buyers have made it clear they want the security, low cost, and speed of solar and storage... However, as electricity demand soars, political and regulatory roadblocks are slowing the very energy we need to survive. Obstructing the only industry actively building new power capacity is an irresponsible gamble that will only drive electricity bills higher. The permitting logjam in Washington cannot continue; the consequences are unthinkable."
Further analysis by the association reveals that 457 solar and storage projects currently face potential delays or cancellations due to political factors while awaiting approval.
Michelle Davis, head of solar research at Wood Mackenzie, noted, "Despite the growing demand for electricity in the US, we forecast flat solar capacity additions over the next five years. While we see a significant increase in solar procurement within utility resource plans, the current permitting bottlenecks remain a near-term obstacle."
It is noteworthy that, boosted by expectations of US tariff policies and clean energy demand, the US solar stock sector experienced a strong rally from mid-May to early June. First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) led the gains, with its stock price surging over 50% in May alone.
UBS analyst Catherine Gordon attributed this rally to declining yields and potential policy shifts. Market focus is now centered on the anticipated "Section 232" tariff decision expected in mid-to-late June, with potential tariffs covering polysilicon imports.
Although First Solar shares have retreated significantly since last Friday, Gordon indicated that, beyond Section 232, the company's commentary on orders during its Q2 earnings call will be the next key catalyst.
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