Utah solar beats coal and gas for the first time as a yearslong energy shift takes hold
Utah achieved a significant energy milestone in May 2026, generating more electricity from solar than any other source for the first time. This shift is part of a broader trend away from coal and gas, with large-scale solar projects like Faraday Solar now supplying major consumers, including a Meta data center in Utah County.
In May 2026, Utah recorded a historic first, with solar power surpassing all other sources to become the state's leading electricity generator. Data from Ember, reported by Grist, indicated that solar facilities produced almost 1 terawatt-hour, constituting roughly one-third of Utah's total generation, ahead of natural gas (32%) and coal (28%). This achievement signifies a marked shift from 2017, when coal accounted for 64% to 78% of the state's electricity.
Experts like Dan Schroeder, a Weber State University physics professor, lauded the expansion of solar for its positive impacts on air quality, climate, and the economy. The milestone was significantly bolstered by new large-scale projects, including the 2,500-acre Green River Energy Center, which commenced operations in spring 2026 with 400 megawatts of solar and 400 megawatts of battery storage. Additionally, Excelsior Energy Capital's Faraday Solar project in Utah County began supplying up to 685 megawatts to a Meta data center in fall 2025, while the Elektron Solar Project started powering Salt Lake City, Park City, and Summit County in June 2024.
This transition to solar is expected to reduce planet-warming pollution and smog, decrease reliance on volatile fuel costs, and stimulate job growth, with Utah's solar industry already supporting nearly 8,000 jobs across 132 companies. Despite some reductions in federal support for renewables and PacifiCorp temporarily scaling back some renewable development plans, analysts anticipate continued growth in solar generation and the emergence of similar milestones in the future.