Solar Energy Reaches Historic Milestone, Beats Coal in U.S. Electricity Generation

Solar energy just made history. In May 2026, solar power surpassed coal in monthly US electricity generation for the first time on record, with solar supplying 12.8% of the nation’s electricity compared to coal’s 12.2%, according to analysis published June 10 by global energy think tank Ember. Solar generated an all-time high of 45.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) in May 2026, up 17% from May 2025, while coal produced just 43.4 TWh, 11% lower than a year earlier. This is not a seasonal blip. It is a structural shift five years in the making, and it is reshaping the US power grid, the energy policy debate, and the stock market simultaneously.

The Numbers Behind Solar Energy’s Historic Crossover

The data tells a clear story of two opposing trajectories. Five years ago, the picture looked completely different. In May 2021, coal generated 19.7% of US electricity while solar energy accounted for only 5.4%. By May 2026, solar’s share had more than doubled to 12.8%, while coal’s share had nearly halved to 12.2%.

Key data points from the May 2026 milestone:

• Solar generation: 45.5 TWh, an all-time monthly record, beating the previous record set in July 2025
• Coal generation: 43.4 TWh, coal’s fourth-lowest monthly share ever
• Coal’s April 2026 low: 39.3 TWh, an all-time monthly low
• Solar growth rate: Up 17% year over year in May 2026
• Solar’s current rank: Third-largest and fastest-growing electricity source in the US

In March 2026, renewables collectively generated more electricity than gas in the US for the first time, making May’s solar-over-coal crossover the second major clean energy milestone achieved in 2026.

What’s Driving Solar Energy Growth in 2026

U.S. solar expansion is accelerating, with developers expected to add 43.4 GW of utility-scale capacity in 2026, up 60% from last year. Solar accounts for 51% of all new power capacity additions, led by strong growth in states such as Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Indiana.  

Solar Energy Stocks Riding the Milestone

Three publicly listed stocks are most directly tied to this solar energy milestone.

• First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) is the largest US-based solar panel manufacturer. First Solar entered 2026 with a backlog of 54.5 GW and 79.2 GW of potential booking opportunities. The company is building a $1.1 billion facility in Louisiana, adding 3.5 GW of annual panel production, plus a $330 million facility in South Carolina, adding another 3.7 GW by H2 2026.
• NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) is the world’s largest operator of wind and solar generation. NextEra operates Florida Power & Light with approximately 12 million customers and a solar portfolio exceeding 8.5 GW, the largest utility-owned solar portfolio in the US. In May 2026, NextEra and Dominion Energy announced a combination to create the world’s largest regulated electric utility.
• Enphase Energy (NASDAQ: ENPH): Enphase shipped 1.55 million microinverters and 150 MWh of batteries in Q1 2026, with gross margins holding at 46.1% non-GAAP. US sell-through jumped 21% quarter-over-quarter to a two-year high.

Conclusion

Solar energy’s May 2026 milestone is the energy story of the year. The US now exceeds 6 million total solar installations nationwide across utility-scale, commercial, community, and residential segments. With 43.4 GW of new solar capacity being added in 2026, another monthly record this summer is not just possible; Ember says it is likely. For the US grid, the energy mix has fundamentally shifted. The question is no longer whether solar energy can compete with coal; it already has. 

Disclaimer

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.