Utility-scale battery storage capacity in the United States has grown rapidly, increasing by 70% annually over the past three years to reach 43.6 GW by the end of 2025. An additional 8.3 GW came online in the first half of 2026, with plans for another 54 GW to be added by the end of 2028. Solar PV facilities are hosting the largest battery storage units, enabling the storage of solar power during low-price periods and discharging during peak demand. This growth in battery storage capacity is closely linked to the expansion of utility-scale solar projects, with forecasts indicating a significant rise in solar generating capacity and renewable energy's share of total U.S. generation.
Tag: the United States
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Congress reintroduces federal purchasing bill
The Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act (CDRLA) has been reintroduced by Representatives Tonko and Peters and Senators Whitehouse and Coons, aiming to establish a federal carbon removal purchasing program to support high-quality carbon removal solutions. This proposal includes specific evaluation criteria and ambitious volume targets for the next decade to accelerate the development and deployment of carbon removal technologies. The federal government's market certainty can help the industry raise capital, expand operations, and ultimately meet climate goals. Investing in policy support for these technologies is crucial for the United States to deploy solutions that can fulfill global demand for carbon removal.
https://carbon180.org/blog/congress-reintroduces-federal-purchasing-bill/
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Software can unlock 300 GW of capacity on U.S. grid without building a single power plant
The traditional conservative planning model for the electric grid in the United States has hindered the deployment of clean energy by underutilizing infrastructure. Shifting to software-driven monitoring can unlock significant capacity on existing infrastructure without the need for new transmission lines or power plants. Startups like GridCARE are using software to identify and utilize idle capacity, leading to efficiency gains in a matter of weeks. This shift in planning approach is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources and improving grid stability, while also maximizing the value of the existing grid infrastructure to lower costs for consumers and activate latent capacity. Advanced software can help identify immediate opportunities to interconnect new generation and alleviate multi-year queue backlogs, providing a bridge to uncover hidden capacity in the existing system.
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Solar Energy Is Essential (Trump Just Won’t Admit It)
Solar energy is recognized as the fastest and most economical way to increase kilowatts in the grid, with the US Air Force supporting the space solar industry. Germanium-based solar modules have set a new world record for solar conversion efficiency, but there is a shortage of germanium in the US. The Department of War has awarded $18.1 million to a domestic producer to address the germanium shortfall for defense applications. The US Air Force sees solar energy as a next-level logistics improvement over fossil fuels, with plans to deploy space-based systems to harvest solar energy in orbit and beam it down to Earth. Private sector stakeholders are working towards demonstrating space-based solar technology within the next 10 years. Research is being conducted by the USAF on space solar energy delivery to Earth, with a focus on fuel resupply in the Indo-Pacific region. The project, titled PERSEUS, aims to provide clean energy anywhere on Earth in the early 2030s. The technology could be used for defense applications once deployed, offering a way to reduce reliance on vulnerable fuel supply chains. Solar energy demand is also increasing on Earth, with the US solar industry dominating new utility-scale capacity additions to the nation's grid. Additionally, the US defense supplier York Space Systems has acquired the space solar startup Solestial to secure a domestic source for critical space solar capability. Solestial is preparing to produce new solar cells in the United States after acquiring manufacturing equipment from Meyer Burger. The company aims to expand its manufacturing capabilities and supply chain control with this strategic move. Solestial's focus is on in-space applications for its self-healing silicon solar technology. The US Air Force recognizes the importance of solar energy for national defense, potentially replacing fuel resupply missions for ground operations.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/15/space-solar-energy-us-air-force-essential/
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AirPlantTM One Opens in Moses Lake: America’s First Commercial E-Jet® Fuel Plant Begins Operations
Twelve has opened AirPlant One in Washington, the first facility in the US to produce E-Jet fuel and E-Naphtha from CO2 and renewable electricity. Alaska Airlines and Microsoft were present at the ribbon cutting ceremony, committing to purchasing output from the facility. The E-Jet SAF and E-Naphtha offer lower CO2 emissions, price predictability, and support domestic industrial growth. Microsoft's strategic investment aims to reduce emissions associated with business travel and advance clean energy solutions in aviation and global industry. Twelve's focus on electrifying fuel and chemical production using CO2 and renewable electricity is commercially viable in the United States and can scale to additional production sites and airline partners.
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Largest Solar Cell Factory In USA Starts Production in Georgia
Qcells has opened a new solar cell manufacturing facility in Cartersville, Georgia, adding 3.3 GW of ingot, wafer, cell, and 3.5 GW of module capacity, making it the first U.S. factory to produce all major parts of a solar PV module under one roof. The company will benefit from tax credits and subsidies from the Biden administration, creating thousands of skilled manufacturing jobs and meeting the growing demand for domestically produced solar equipment. The thriving solar power industry in the United States, with Qcells expected to create nearly 4,000 direct jobs, can now power around 80 million homes. CleanTechnica provides in-depth analyses and summaries on clean energy topics, offering tips, advertising, and guest suggestions for those interested in climate solutions.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/09/largest-solar-cell-factory-in-usa-starts-production-in-georgia/
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World Cup venues achieve LEED sustainability certification
Thirteen out of the sixteen stadiums for the FIFA World Cup have achieved LEED certification, showcasing their commitment to sustainability. The certified stadiums have installed over 11,500 solar panels, saving water and reducing single-use plastics. FIFA has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. LEED-certified buildings, including sports venues, use less energy, reduce carbon emissions, and conserve water compared to conventional buildings. Several stadiums in the United States, including AT&T Stadium and MetLife Stadium, have achieved gold certification for their sustainability efforts in preparation for hosting matches during the upcoming World Cup, resulting in a 16% reduction in overall energy use.
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A landmark MIT study debunks persistent myths about electric vehicles
A new analysis published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that battery electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States have a smaller carbon footprint and lower overall costs compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. Factors such as local electricity grid greenness, climate, and driving habits play a significant role in the emissions savings from EVs. Despite higher upfront costs, EVs offer lower fuel and maintenance expenses, making them cost-competitive with gasoline vehicles even without tax credits. The study provides tools for policymakers and individuals to assess the benefits of EVs based on their specific circumstances, showing that EVs can reduce emissions by 40-60% compared to gasoline cars in most parts of the country, with the greenness of the local grid being a key determinant.
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Environmental News Network – For Most US Drivers, EVs Offer Emissions Benefits and Cost Savings
A recent study by MIT researchers concluded that electric vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and are cost-competitive with gas-powered vehicles across most regions in the United States. The study took into account factors such as regional climate variations, electricity sources, traffic congestion, and driving habits to analyze life-cycle emissions and ownership costs. By examining meteorological data, trip characteristics, and fuel prices in thousands of U.S. zip codes, the researchers provided a detailed analysis of the environmental and economic benefits of electric vehicles. This comprehensive study, finalized in late 2024 and early 2025, highlights the potential for electric vehicles to be a key climate solution in reducing emissions and transitioning to a more sustainable transportation system.
https://www.enn.com/articles/77984-for-most-us-drivers-evs-offer-emissions-benefits-and-cost-savings
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Solar farms can help to regenerate land while generating energy, new study finds
A new study analyzing 147 individual studies has shown that solar farms have regenerative effects on degraded land by reducing wind speeds, lowering surface and soil temperatures, and increasing soil moisture. Solar power was found to have positive impacts on the environment compared to fossil fuels, with solar farms significantly reducing wind speeds and albedo across different surface types. The majority of solar farms studied were located in arid climate conditions, with the largest number in China, the United States, and India. Solar farms were also found to significantly reduce soil temperature by 2.42°C and increase soil water content by 38.60%, particularly on cropland and grassland. These findings highlight the potential of solar farms to positively influence soil conditions in agricultural and grassland areas.