US Renewable Boom Passes Key Milestone in April as Solar Surpasses Coal Overall
In April 2026, total solar electricity production in the US exceeded coal for the first time, but grid-only data shows solar still behind at 9.4% versus coal's 12%, due to behind-the-meter rooftop solar.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released official grid data for April, revealing a significant milestone in the renewable energy sector. While preliminary May data had already hinted at this trend, it is now clear that total solar electricity generation surpassed coal-fired generation in April. However, there is a crucial caveat: a substantial portion of that solar production never reached the grid, as it comes from rooftop installations used directly by the buildings they sit on.
The situation heading into April and May was straightforward. After a brief resurgence last year, coal use resumed its decline, despite repeated government attempts to support it. Meanwhile, solar continued its rapid growth, driven by its position as the cheapest way to add generating capacity in most of the U.S. But this growth started from a small base, and early months of the year typically see low solar output due to seasonality. As a result, year-over-year growth above 20% still left solar providing only 6% of grid power, a sharp contrast to coal's 16%.
Longer days in April naturally boost solar production, which, combined with new installations typically completed near year-end and coal's ongoing decline, narrowed the gap considerably. One year ago in April, coal provided 14% of grid power and solar just 8.3%. The equivalent figures for 2026 are 12% and 9.4%. So, while a gap remains, it is much smaller.
