EIA: Share of new solar capacity paired with battery storage is rising

More than 16% of new utility-scale solar capacity added in the United States so far in 2026 is co-located with operable battery storage, up from 2% in 2017, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said in an analysis published October 30, 2026.

According to the EIA, which based the figures on data reported by operators as of September, planned solar additions scheduled for the last three months of the year could raise that share to 19% for 2026. Plans submitted for 2027 and 2028 show the portion increasing to more than 30%, the agency said.

The EIA said operators that pair batteries with solar can send solar output either to the grid or to the battery depending on wholesale prices. In regions with large amounts of solar, wholesale prices tend to fall when solar output is high and rise as it decreases, allowing combined plants to manage output to maximize its value, according to the agency.

As of September, solar photovoltaic capacity made up 13% of total U.S. utility-scale generating capacity, and 18% of that solar capacity was co-located with battery storage, the EIA said. The agency said the share of co-located solar in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada is more than double the national average.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/613