In a first, Utah got more power from solar than any other source
The state used to run on coal, but now renewables are surging.
In a historic first in May 2026, Utah generated more power from solar energy than any other source, marking a significant shift away from coal. Solar panels produced nearly 1 terawatt hour of electricity, accounting for nearly one-third of the state's total electricity generation that month, according to Ember, a global energy think tank.
Natural gas contributed 32 percent, coal generated 28 percent, and wind provided 2 percent. Dan Schroeder, a physics professor at Weber State University, attributes this surge to the operation of large solar farms, including the 2,500-acre Green River Energy Center and Excelsior Energy Capital's Faraday Solar project. Solar energy also supports about 8,000 jobs in Utah, with the industry attracting $1.5 billion in investments in 2025 alone.
While solar power is now a major player in Utah's energy mix, it is not yet consistent every month due to the state's fluctuating energy needs. Nonetheless, with its sunny and dry climate, Utah has ample potential to expand its solar capacity. Wind power has also recently surged, surpassing other energy sources in PacifiCorp's Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho portfolio for the first time in December and January.
This combination of solar and wind power presents a promising future for clean, reliable, and affordable energy sources in the region.
Written by urgent.news from Grist's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
