Utilities plan to add 24 gigawatts of energy storage in 2026, beating last year's record by 57 percent. This surge in storage capacity solves a critical challenge: batteries capture excess solar generation during the day and release it during evening peak demand. From Texas-sized utility projects to skyrocketing residential battery attach rates, 2026 marks the year solar and storage transition from the electric grid's fastest-growing additions to its foundational pillars. Project developers and utility operators are preparing for a historic expansion of the. Solar, wind, and battery storage are projected to add 62% more generating capacity in 2026 than in 2025, assuring that those sources provide virtually all net new generating capacity this year, according to a review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data just released by the US Energy Information. U. This amount represents an almost 30% increase from 2024 when 48.
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