Mercom: Energy storage companies raise $2.3 billion in Q1 2026
Venture capital funding increased year-on-year, with a 44% jump in deal count. Project acquisitions grew by 227%, with 7.2 GW in total acquired compared to 2.2 GW in Q1, 2025.
FEOC, uncertainty and constraints: Real estate capital for energy storage developers is more critical than ever
As energy storage developers navigate the tightening squeeze of FEOC compliance and a bifurcated lending market, unlocking the embedded value of project real estate is emerging as a critical, non-dilutive strategy for securing the pre-construction capital needed to meet 2026 supply chain deadlines.
SolarEdge hits Q1 beat, targets breakeven as U.S. manufacturing ramps up
Bolstered by a sixth consecutive quarter of margin expansion and a stabilizing U.S. footprint, the inverter giant is pivoting toward its Nexis platform and AI data-center power solutions.
Sunrun maintains 2026 guidance despite Q1 headwinds, pivots toward storage and grid services
While the nation’s leading residential solar-plus-storage provider reported a mixed Q1 2026, management reiterated its full-year outlook, emphasizing a “margin of safety” strategy amid broader industry volatility.
Renew Risk launches storm catastrophe model for U.S. solar projects
Renew Risk has launched a catastrophe modeling tool designed to help insurers and reinsurers price the financial risks of severe convective storms for utility-scale solar assets.
Oregon Department of Energy announces $1.1 million in re-purposed funding for solar and storage rebates
The one-time funding, which comes from administrative savings and canceled or incomplete rebate projects from prior rounds, will become available to homeowners and low-income service providers on June 15, 2026.
Solar sector raises $11.1 billion in Q1 2026 as debt financing hits decade high
Global corporate funding in the solar sector reached $11.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, with debt financing at its highest level in more than 10 years, says Mercom Capital Group.
First Solar reaffirms 2026 guidance as CuRe launch and record India sales drive Q1 margin expansion
Thin-film manufacturer First Solar delivered a robust start to 2026, posting record first-quarter revenue of $1.04 billion and maintaining its full-year outlook despite signaling a seasonal dip in second-quarter profitability.
Tesla energy storage deployments down 15% on ‘clumpy’ first quarter
After peaking at over 14 GWh and accounting for 15% of Tesla’s revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025, energy storage saw a seasonal decline to 8.8 GWh accounting for 10.8% of the company’s revenue.
NextEra Energy adds record 4 GW of renewables and storage backlog in Q1
The Florida-based utility and energy infrastructure giant posted a 10% year-over-year increase in adjusted earnings, supported by a massive quarter for project origination and continued solar expansion in its regulated utility segment.
