France, July 11 -- Solar power became the European Union's biggest source of electricity for the first time in June, overtaking nuclear and wind energy. Coal's share dropped to a record low, data from energy think tank Ember shows.

Solar energy made up 22.1 percent of the EU's electricity last month- the highest proportion to date, and up from 18.9 percent a year ago. That figure puts it just ahead of nuclear energy at 21.8 percent, whilewind supplied around 16 percent.

At least 13 EU countries broke their own monthly solar energy records in June, with Germany, Spain and the Netherlands among the top contributors.

The Netherlands now gets more than 40 percent of its electricity from the sun, while Greece reached 35 percent.

Countries ...