Design solar for storage now, or retrofit at a premium later
New analysis of retrofitting solar power plants with energy storage, accounting for the industry’s rapidly falling prices, suggests that prepping your solar projects today has a strong chance of being in your financial interest.
California solar curtailment down 12% on back of batteries
For the first five months of 2025, CAISO data showed solar electricity curtailment declined by 12% as a share of generation, falling from 13% to 11.5%, even as solar output grew 18% year over year. During this period, however, curtailment still rose 4.1% in absolute terms, with March showing a 28% increase, matching the prior year’s peak.
Trump starts “weaponization” of polysilicon investigation
The U.S. Department of Commerce has officially initiated a Section 232 investigation into the national security risks of polysilicon imports.
RFP alert: New York selling 15 MW of distributed solar projects
The NYSERDA Build-Ready program, which has significantly de-risked the development of three facilities, has launched an RFP seeking developers and contractors to advance the projects into operating solar assets.
Solar becomes top source of electricity in California
Over the past 12 months, solar power has become California’s largest source of electricity, a trend likely to continue.
Tesla deploys 9.6 GWh of batteries in Q2, 10 GWh Nevada cell factory ‘nears completion’
The electric vehicle company reported flat energy storage growth quarter over quarter but nearly 50% growth year to date compared with 2024. Tesla has deployed 37.9 GWh over the past four quarters and is approaching 100 GWh total deployed.
Senate seeks to tax the very idea of solar power
The latest version of the Reconciliation Bill includes a 30% excise tax on solar projects if its components or intellectual property originate from entities linked to foreign adversaries—even if those projects don’t claim tax credits.
Solar surpasses 10% of U.S. electrical generation for a full month for the first time
In April, solar photovoltaics accounted for 10.64% of all electricity generation, according to the EIA. Combined with wind, the two sources neared 25%, while carbon-free electricity edged above 49%.
Sunnova solar assets stable, paying interest, while bankruptcy continues
Bond analyst KBRA, which has rated $6 billion of solar-backed securities issued by the recently bankrupt Sunnova, is maintaining its ratings and says the loan and lease packages remain stable investments, independent of the reorganizing company.
Batteries are stabilizing the Texas power grid
A study by North American Electric Reliability Corporation found that ultra-fast response times of batteries help to stabilize the grid better than slower thermal sources.
