Solar power hits new milestones in the US even as Trump boosts coal over clean energy

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🗞️ Driving the news: In May 2026, U.S. solar generation overtook coal for the first time, supplying 12.8% of electricity versus coal’s 12.2%, highlighting the continued growth of clean energy despite federal support for coal under President Trump
• Solar is now the third-largest electricity source in the U.S., and new installations account for 91% of all new generating capacity

🔭 The context: Reports from Ember, SEIA, and Wood Mackenzie show solar and battery storage dominate new builds, while coal faces declining generation
• Trump’s administration has spent $700 million to support coal, canceled solar and wind projects, slowed permitting, and cut $7 billion in solar funding, yet market forces and state-level installations continue to favor renewables, including in states that voted for Trump

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Solar growth reduces carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating climate change and air pollution
• Ongoing expansion of solar infrastructure provides a scalable, low-carbon source of electricity, critical as U.S. power demand rises for AI, transportation electrification, and industrial growth

⏭️ What’s next: Analysts predict solar to surpass coal on an annual basis within a few years
• Continued federal policy uncertainty may slow deployment, but falling costs, abundant sunlight, and investor interest suggest solar will remain the fastest-growing energy source in the U.S.

💬 One quote: “Today we can harness solar more affordably than any other energy source. It’s scalable. And it’s also our most abundant renewable energy source.” – Johanna Neumann, Environment America Research and Policy Center

📈 One stat: The U.S. now exceeds 6 million solar installations nationwide, with 32 states generating at least 10% of electricity from solar, wind, or geothermal energy in 2025

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