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US solar power expansion

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2026-08-27 17:27 UTC → 2026-08-27 17:57 UTC · added ~~removed~~

U.S. policymakers are intensifying efforts to boost solar generation and modernize the electric grid. In late July, the Solar Energy Industries Association urged lawmakers to expand solar and storage projects, citing public support and the potential for cost savings. Concurrently, the National Clean Energy Technology Center reported that more than 480 grid‑modernization actions were enacted or proposed across 44 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with energy‑storage measures leading the way. By early 2026, solar and storage together made up 91% of new generation capacity, and for the first time solar generation surpassed coal nationally. By mid-2026, the Solar Energy Industries Association noted that battery storage usage in the U.S. has experienced a 70% annual growth rate. In California, the California Independent System Operator reported record solar production of 23.49 GW and daily battery generation of 57.71 GWh. Texas has also expanded its solar capacity to 11 gigawatts, with large-scale storage capable of supplying 675,000 homes. In August 2026, the renewable energy sector is projected to see a record 45 GW increase in capacity this year, a 25% rise over the 2024 record. This growth persists despite the Trump administration’s efforts to limit the energy transition and its blocking of specific large-scale projects, such as the Esmeralda 7 solar project in Nevada. While many Biden-era tax credits for consumers and electric vehicles have been repealed or reduced, direct funding laws from the Inflation Reduction Act remain largely intact. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, renewable energy currently accounts for 30% of power generating capacity in the U.S. Data from the EIA for the first half of 2026 shows renewable energy sources accounted for 30.2% of total U.S. electrical generation, an 11% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

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