Latest Solar News
1. Solar is crushing gas growth worldwide
Natural gas is losing its grip on the global power mix as countries increasingly turn to cheaper, more secure renewable energy, according to a new report from climate and energy think tank Grayson Fowler.
Fowler’s analysis found that 61 out of 124 economies that generate electricity from gas have already passed peak gas power generation. That includes four G7 countries: the UK, Germany, Italy, and Japan. Source: Grayson Fowler of ATS.
2. For the first time ever, solar generated more electricity than coal.
The U.S. just hit a big milestone: It got more power from solar panels than from coal plants in May.
It’s the first time that has ever happened across an entire month, and all the more notable given the Trump administration’s all-out push to revive the moribund U.S. coal industry.
Solar produced 12.8% of the nation’s electricity in May, a sun-soaked month that’s often among the best-performing for the clean energy source
3. Pennsylvania is putting another $25 million behind solar-powered projects at schools
Renewing its Solar for Schools program for a third straight year and expanding the financial support available to participating institutions, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reported.
With awards now able to cover as much as 75% of a project, schools facing unpredictable energy costs may now have an easier time adopting solar and freeing up more money for students' and teachers' needs.
4. Solar and storage made up 91% of all new grid capacity added in Q1 2026
So far this year, solar and storage are dominating new electricity generation capacity. In the first quarter of 2026, 91% of all new grid capacity came from solar and storage, the highest quarterly share the duo has ever recorded. Solar has been America’s largest source of new electricity generation for the past five years, and storage is quickly catching up. Utilities, businesses, and investors continue choosing these technologies because they are among the lowest-cost and fastest-to-deploy energy resources available.
5. Major grid operators in the country set new solar records.
California and Texas may grab the headlines, but solar’s growth is a national story. In the last three months, SPP, ISONE, MISO, and PJM have all set new records for solar generation. At the same time, these grid operators are also setting records for maximum load, proving that solar isn’t just a good way to reduce prices; it’s a critical element of energy reliability.
These records are sure to be broken again as free sunshine and affordable energy storage continue to transform the grid. Even on the hottest days, solar and storage are helping America meet rising electricity demand, lower costs for families, and strengthen grid reliability, all at the same time.
With half of 2026 still ahead, the next round of record-breaking is just around the corner.
6. Why consumers are choosing solar over fossil fuels
People across the world have woken up to the fact that renewable energy is a source of local economic stability and energy security, particularly when it’s on their roofs, with a recent global survey finding two in three people now support renewable energy and storage investment.
This is according to recent data from the 2026 Ipsos Energy Transition Barometer – a global survey conducted across 31 countries – and it provides a reality check that policymakers ignore at their peril.
As geopolitical turmoil again sends shockwaves through global oil and energy markets, driving up costs at the pump and on the grid, people worldwide are realizing an inescapable truth: energy security is synonymous with economic security.