Solar has overtaken coal in the us for the first time – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Skip to main content
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.
Posted
J
Jess Weatherbed
Solar has overtaken coal in the US for the first time.

That’s according to data from energy think tank Ember, which says solar supplied a record 12.8 percent of US electricity in May 2026, compared to 12.2 percent for coal. That’s the fourth-lowest monthly share ever for the fossil fuel, despite the Trump administration’s efforts to boost coal industries.

A graph showing energy source comparisons in the US.
Solar and wind combined overtook coal in the US in 2024, now solar can do it alone.
Image by Ember
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...

Most Popular

Most Popular
  1. This tattoo is permanent, pain-free, and might soon come in the mail
  2. The ban on robot vacuums won’t make them safer, only worse
  3. With Switch 2, iPhone, and laptop tricks, the Sharge Disk Pro 2 is finally a worthy EDC
  4. You could be taking way better photos on your phone
  5. The US government just banned Roombas

More in Science

This tattoo is permanent, pain-free, and might soon come in the mailThis tattoo is permanent, pain-free, and might soon come in the mail
NASA’s Curiosity rover found a ‘sea of polygons’ on MarsNASA’s Curiosity rover found a ‘sea of polygons’ on Mars
DoorDash is going airborne with new drone delivery divisionDoorDash is going airborne with new drone delivery division
AI’s finally expensive enough to make Wall Street nervousAI’s finally expensive enough to make Wall Street nervous
Amazon’s trying to launch a global satellite cellphone network in 2028Amazon’s trying to launch a global satellite cellphone network in 2028
The tech-broification of American science has officially begunThe tech-broification of American science has officially begun

Top Stories