Solar and Storage Dominates New US Capacity - Good Climate News
Solar and storage combined will account for 79% of all new electricity generation capacity added in the United States this year, reports PV Magazine. This number comes from the Trump administration’s own Energy Information Administration (EIA).
“Solar power continues its run as the fastest-growing source of new generation. Developers plan to add 43.4 GW of utility-scale solar in 2026, a 60% increase over the record-setting 27.2 GW added in 2025. If the projects materialize as scheduled, 2026 will mark the third consecutive year of record solar installations.”
2. Texas Closing In on California Battery Capacity
Battery storage capacity in Texas reached 57.6 GWh in 2025 and the state will overtake California in capacity in 2026, explains Electrek. These trends highlight how the solar + storage revolution is not slowing down in the United States despite the Trump administration’s preference for fossil fuels.
“Two-thirds of utility-scale storage installed in 2025 was built in red states, including nine of the top 15 states for new installations.”
3. Google Invests in Massive New Battery Plant
Google has announced its new data center in Minnesota will be powered entirely by wind, solar, and batteries, notes Canary Media. The most interesting aspect of the deal is the battery plant, which uses iron-air batteries - a new type of long-duration storage technology from US-based Form Energy.
“What shoots this project into the energy-storage stratosphere is that it will dispatch energy for up to 100 hours straight — enough to pump clean energy through multiday weather patterns.”
4. Poll Shows Trump Voters Support Solar
A new poll has found that 74% of Trump voters support the use of solar energy in the US, relays Semafor. Although nearly equal numbers oppose solar subsidies, the finding may sway the administration’s policy of throttling unsubsidized solar projects via licensing and approval delays.
“Majorities also agree that solar is key to making power more affordable and to closing the gap between electricity generation in China and the US.”
5. UK’s First Geothermal Plant Comes Online
The UK’s first commercial-scale geothermal plant has come online in Cornwall, according to The Guardian. The 3 MW facility is small, but more may be built to harvest the estimated 200MW of available potential in the region. Uniquely, the project will also mine lithium from the injection water.
“Within a decade it says it will be producing enough lithium carbonate, a key material used in the production of rechargeable batteries, to supply about 250,000 electric vehicles a year.”
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