Energy Digest

In 2025, battery storage was paired with 37% of new residential photovoltaic systems in the US, up from 25% in 2024, driven by California's Net Billing Tariff policy which increased the value of storing excess daytime generation. The trend also accelerated outside California, with Arizona and Texas seeing significant increases in residential storage attachment rates. Roughly 450,000 systems installed in 2025 represent an estimated 93% of the US distributed solar market for the year.

Brazil has approximately 56 GW of remaining grid connection capacity for battery energy storage systems available for upcoming auctions, exceeding projected power shortfalls from 2028 to 2030. This capacity is distributed across several regions, reducing the risk of widespread grid connection constraints. The majority of designated substations (93 out of 129) have available connection capacity, mainly concentrated in states such as Bahia, Piauí, and Ceará.

Clean Capital is a community solar provider that operates across 26 states, serving manufacturing facilities and municipalities with various types of renewable energy assets. The company's business model involves acquiring, developing, and owning assets in the middle market, which allows it to play in different locations and manage projects more effectively. Demand for distributed generation solar is currently hindered by federal decisions on tariffs and tax credits, leading to a need for state-level decision-making and local permitting processes.

The solar and storage industry welcomes Governor Newsom's signing of bills supporting reliable electricity generation, transmission, and increasing access to cost-saving benefits. These actions will promote the growth of clean energy and increase its availability. The Solar Energy Industries Association views these developments as a positive step forward for California's renewable energy landscape.

DTE Energy has completed the 100-MW Cold Creek Solar Park in Michigan, supporting Ford Motor Company's decarbonization goals through a 650 MW renewable energy purchase agreement. The solar project utilizes DTE's CleanVision MIGreenPower program, which attributes energy use to clean, Michigan-made renewable power. The project aims to reduce Ford's carbon footprint as part of its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law energy-affordability legislation, including bills that aim to contain utility spending and boost the use of virtual power plants, a technology that can stabilize energy supply and reduce costs by providing a buffer against grid fluctuations and peak demand periods. The laws also include measures to increase energy efficiency and promote renewable energy sources.

Major US companies are forming partnerships to position battery energy storage systems as key components of the country's energy infrastructure, shifting their focus from solely financial returns. These partnerships aim to integrate storage with broader energy and digital infrastructure strategies. This marks a significant shift towards treating battery storage as essential infrastructure investments rather than just financial assets.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed SB 913 and SB 905, two bills that allow for the deployment of virtual power plants (VPPs) throughout the state to hold down electricity bills. The legislation aims to reduce utility expenditures by using equipment installed at homes and businesses rather than expanding them. This marks the clearest attempt in the legislative session to use VPPs to lower customer bills.

Microinverter manufacturers expect a growing demand for rooftop solar systems, particularly in residential markets such as balcony solar installations. These systems convert DC to AC power and can be tied into dedicated branch circuits, making them suitable for home use. As the market for rooftop solar grows, microinverter manufacturers anticipate increased sales and investment in this sector.

More than half of the countries that track these metrics lost at least 10% of their electricity in 2023, with losses topping 20% for 24 nations and exceeding 50% for two. Cutting down on losses is crucial to meet rising demand without building new power plants, while reducing waste also helps mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. Electricity theft and non-paying customers are significant contributors to these losses, making it a pressing issue in grid networks.