Solar energy enters ‘anytime solar’ era via battery storage

The era of ‘anytime solar’ has arrived as battery storage technology begins to decouple solar power generation from daylight hours. According to a report by the think tank Ember, solar energy is transitioning from a midday-only resource to a continuous power source available throughout the day and night.

Bulgaria and Chile are highlighted as primary examples of this shift. In Bulgaria, solar and battery storage combined covered an average of 24 percent of electricity demand during the evening peak between 7 PM and 9 PM in the first half of 2023, surpassing the performance of the California grid.

Globally, solar power reached a record 10 percent of total electricity generation in the first half of 2026. This represents a significant increase from 8.9 percent in the previous year and 5.6 percent in early 2023. During the midday period between 11 AM and 2 PM, solar energy covered over 25 percent of global electricity demand.