Solar Power Overtakes Coal in US Energy Milestone

Data from the energy think tank Ember confirms that solar has climbed to become the third-largest source of U.S. electricity, trailing only gas and nuclear power. This transition persists even as the Trump administration intensifies its commitment to coal, recently announcing $700 million in new funding for the sector, including plans for two new coal-fired plants—the first such projects in over a decade.

Industry analysts at Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association report that solar and battery storage represented 91% of all new energy generation capacity during the first quarter of 2026. This growth continues despite the cancellation of $7 billion in renewable energy program funding and federal mandates requiring military installations to contract with coal plants otherwise slated for retirement. Critics, including Rep. Jared Huffman, argue these expenditures ignore market realities, noting that solar remains a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative. Utility companies are increasingly pushing back against federal coal mandates, citing their own shift toward wind and solar as a matter of economic and operational necessity.