Is solar energy the cheapest and fastest-to-build option?

Many utilities have embraced gas, or promoted restarting closed coal or nuclear plants, but that overlooks the cheapest and fastest-to-build option – solar energy combined with battery storage, also known as solar-plus storage.

How has solar-plus-storage helped keep the lights on?

Adding 19 GW of solar and 6.2 GW of storage since 2019 helped keep the lights on – an 800% increase in solar and 5,500% increase in battery storage over that period. Solar-plus-storage is solving demand growth by providing reliable power when the grid needs it most – during peak hours.

How much will solar and battery storage cost in 2035?

But solar and battery storage costs have both fallen around 90% over the last decade. By 2035, solar costs could fall nearly 10% and battery storage costs could fall nearly 50%. “New solar plants, even without subsidies, are within touching distance of new U.S. gas plants,” said BloombergNEF’s Amar Vasdev.

Why are energy storage systems important?

Energy storage systems, mostly large batteries, are important because they help store solar and wind power for use when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. In 2025, over 31 GW of new storage capacity is expected to be built. California and Texas are the leaders in battery storage.

How many GW of solar & battery power will the US have?

Compare that to solar-plus-storage: U.S. Energy Information Administration data shows utilities plan to add 110 GW of solar and 63 GW of storage through 2028, compared to just 25 GW of gas. American factories can supply utilities with this new solar and battery power.

Can renewables & storage be more affordable than fossil fuels?

This dramatic cost reduction is making the combination of renewables plus storage increasingly more affordable than traditional fossil fuels. At COP29, world leaders recognized this potential by setting an ambitious target: we need 1,500 GW of storage capacity by 2030—a six-fold increase from today’s levels.