Despite Trump’s Attacks, Solar Outperforms Coal in U.S.

Washington, D.C. - In a historic first, solar energy outperformed coal in the United States in May 2026. This milestone arrives despite Donald Trump's anti-renewable energy policy.

Since taking office, Donald Trump has launched attack after attack on renewable energy, including: slashing federal grants, issuing stop work orders on wind projects, and even paying off energy companies to abandon renewable projects in favor of more fossil fuels. Last week, Donald Trump doubled down, handing Big Coal more than $700 million in taxpayer money in his continued failed efforts to prop up the flailing fuel source at taxpayer's expense.

In the first half of 2025, renewable energy overtook coal as the largest source of electricity globally. Solar energy is now the cheapest source of energy, and reliably produces energy during extreme weather when fossil fuels fail.

In response, Sierra Club Climate Policy Director Patrick Drupp issued the following statement:

"No matter how much Donald Trump tries to use our tax dollars to resurrect unpopular, expensive, and deadly coal plants, there is no coal renaissance in the United States. Despite all of his administration's relentless attacks on renewable energy, solar is still outperforming coal in capacity, reliability, and cost. It's time for Donald Trump to abandon his coal delusions and read the writing on the wall that Americans want-and deserve-clean, affordable, renewable energy."

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.