Utah's Solar Power Beats Coal and Gas for First Time

Utah just hit a sunny milestone that's brightening the future for everyone who breathes its air. In May 2026, solar panels across the state generated nearly a third of all electricity, outpacing natural gas, coal, and wind for the first time in history.

The numbers tell an impressive story. Solar produced nearly 1 terawatt hour of power that month, edging out natural gas at 32% and coal at 28%. Dan Schroeder, a physics professor at Weber State University who tracks energy data, calls it wonderful news for air quality, climate, and the economy.

Several massive solar farms coming online in recent years made this breakthrough possible. The Green River Energy Center in Emery County started operating this spring with 400 megawatts of solar generation and 400 megawatts of battery storage across 2,500 acres. The Faraday Solar project in Utah County now powers Meta's data center with up to 685 megawatts of clean energy.

These projects are creating real opportunities for Utah families. Solar now supports nearly 8,000 jobs across the state, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Utah is home to 132 solar companies, including 54 developers and 23 manufacturers, with investors committing $1.5 billion to the state's solar market in 2025 alone.

The Ripple Effect

The clean energy revolution is spreading across the region in unexpected ways. Wind power recently swept past all other sources in PacifiCorp's portfolio for Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho during December and January, marking another first for renewables.

Logan Mitchell, a climate scientist with Utah Clean Energy, says wind and solar complement each other perfectly. Wind generation peaks during winter months while solar shines brightest in summer, creating year-round clean power.

The benefits extend beyond cleaner air. Renewable energy combined with battery storage now produces some of the cheapest, most consistent power in the country. Unlike fossil fuels, these sources aren't subject to price spikes from global politics or supply disruptions.

PacifiCorp spokesperson Jona Whitesides points out another advantage of wind power. "There are no fuel costs there; it's essentially free," he said.

While solar won't represent a third of Utah's electricity every month, the state's sunny, dry climate means there's plenty of room to grow. California already generates about 51% of its electricity from solar, showing what's possible.

Mitchell believes we've reached a turning point: "Wind plus solar is on a tear right now. We may have achieved liftoff."