The US energy storage industry installed 9.7 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of new capacity in the first quarter of 2026, marking the strongest first quarter in history. This represents a significant increase from previous quarters and sets a best Q1 on record. The growth is attributed to the push for energy security amid the War in Iran.
Spearmint Energy has secured $450 million in funding for its 600MWh Texas BESS project. The project, valued at $150 per kilowatt-hour, is a 300MW/600MWh battery storage system. The Red Egret BESS project will provide energy storage solutions to the Texas grid.
US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum testified with little background knowledge about solar systems, denigrating them despite his lack of understanding. He failed to mention battery storage as a crucial component for renewable energy systems. His ignorance on this topic has sparked amusement among those familiar with the subject.
The 1,250 MW capacity VVER-TOI unit at the Kursk II nuclear power plant has entered into commercial operation and already generated over 2 billion kWh of electricity since its connection to the grid in December.
Residential rooftop photovoltaic (PV) installations have tripled over the past ten years. The solar industry is constructing a gigawatt's worth of solar panels every 15 hours, growing faster than any power source in history. This trend indicates that more utilities, governments, and private citizens are adopting solar energy than ever before.
The Slovak government plans to develop energy communities through a partnership with the Energy Communities Cluster of Slovakia, aiming to increase energy self-sufficiency in cities, municipalities, and households. Solar energy is expected to be a key technology used within these communities, particularly rooftop and local photovoltaic installations combined with battery storage and electricity sharing. Regulatory improvements will be essential to unlock the full potential of decentralized solar energy in Slovakia's energy communities.
A massive Southern California wildfire is burning near an ex-nuclear site in Ventura County, prompting the county to set up radiation air monitors to track hazardous materials. Firefighters are also being assisted by "hazardous materials and radiological monitoring teams" to assess the health of the air in the area. The fire department is increasing response efforts due to the growing size of the wildfire.
Gotion unveiled three new sodium battery products with an energy density of 261 Wh/kg and up to 20,000 charge cycles. The company's sodium batteries offer a high energy storage capacity in a relatively compact design. This technology could potentially replace lithium-ion batteries in various applications.
The Tesla Cybercab has been certified as the most efficient electric vehicle ever, with a rating of 165 Wh/mi. This is significantly more efficient than the next closest EV, the Lucid Air Pure, which consumes 28% more energy per mile. The achievement comes despite the tiny two-seat robotaxi's unusual design and sub-50 kWh battery pack.
The Kazakh government has approved a resolution to develop a domestic industrial base for the implementation of nuclear power plant construction projects, aiming to localize these efforts. This move is part of Kazakhstan's broader strategy to increase its role in the global nuclear energy market. The plan seeks to create a domestic industry capable of constructing and operating nuclear power plants.
CleanTechnica