Solar Power Sets Record for Monthly Electricity Generation
New data released by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals that in May 2026, solar power generation in the US reached 47,147 gigawatt-hours (GWh), surpassing both coal (45,119 GWh) and wind (41,157 GWh) for the first time in a single month. This milestone marks a significant shift in the nation’s energy landscape, signaling the growing dominance of solar power in electricity generation.
The EIA reported that in the first five months of 2026, renewable energy generation in the US grew by 10.1% year over year. Utility-scale solar saw the largest increase at 21.6%, followed by small-scale solar at 12.8%. Hydropower and wind generation rose by 10.8% and 4.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, coal-fired electricity production declined by 10.9%, while nuclear and natural gas saw modest gains of 1.3% and 2.5%.
Renewable Energy’s Share Continues to Climb
Data shows that in the first five months of 2026, combined wind and solar power accounted for 22.2% of total US electricity production, exceeding coal by 57% and nuclear by 26%. When including other renewables such as biomass and geothermal, the total share of renewable energy reached 30.3%, up from 28.2% during the same period the previous year.
As of May 31, 2026, renewables comprised 34.1% of the nation’s utility-scale electricity generating capacity. The EIA projects this share will rise to 37.0% by May 31, 2027. Utility-scale solar capacity is expected to increase by 43,971.9 megawatts (MW), raising its share from 13.1% to 16.1%, while wind capacity will grow by 9,414.4 MW, bringing its share to 13.6%. Over the same period, fossil fuel and nuclear capacity is projected to decline by 4,685 MW.