Utility-scale solar developers are co-locating battery storage with new solar photovoltaic capacity at an increasing rate, with over 16% of new capacity added in 2026 compared to 2% in 2017. This trend is driven by the growing demand for renewable energy and the benefits of combining solar power with energy storage. The increased adoption of co-located solar and battery storage is expected to lead to a more efficient and sustainable energy system.
Utility-scale solar developers are co-locating battery storage with new solar photovoltaic capacity at an increasing rate. As of September 2026, over 16% of new utility-scale solar capacity added this year is co-located with operable battery storage. This represents a significant increase from 2% in 2017.
Xcel Energy has rolled out a $70 billion, 5-year capital plan focused on renewable energy, including 9.2 GW of new renewable projects and 2.3 GW of storage. The plan aims to balance growing demand while protecting the planet, according to CEO Bob Frenzel. This investment will contribute to the company's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and meet its sustainability goals.
American Electric Power (AEP) has increased its investment plan by 30% for generation and transmission spending, with contracted large loads jumping 22% to 84 GW. This growth is primarily driven by a 10.4-GW data center in Ohio being developed by SB Energy. The data center is expected to be one of the largest in the US.
The US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled that Texas has a "free lane" to enforce restrictions on foreign-owned companies' access to the state's electric grid, giving Chinese-linked solar developer Xinjiang-based Zouping Jinbao Energy Co. Ltd. its appeal over Texas grid interconnection. The ruling has implications for other states and market participants. Xinjiang-based Zouping Jinbao Energy Co. Ltd. had challenged Texas' restrictions on foreign-owned companies' access to the grid.
Florida municipal utilities are using AI-powered Inspect platform to assess storm damage after Hurricane Isaias, which uses vehicle-mounted cameras to capture high-resolution imagery of distribution poles. The platform uses AI to automatically geolocate poles, streamlining the damage assessment process. This technology helps utilities to quickly and accurately assess damage, improving response times and restoration efforts.
The floating nuclear power plant in Russia has seen a significant reduction in emissions, with air quality improvements of over 80% since its operation began in 2022.
Hitachi's nuclear revenue is expected to rise as the delivery date of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) approaches, driven by strong sales of electrical grid equipment. However, executives are cautious about inflation's impact and long delivery timelines.
Sonnen's collapse has raised concerns about the reliability of the battery company, while BESS contract signings have reached a new high, indicating growing demand for energy storage solutions. New market entrants are also emerging in the BESS sector, further expanding the competitive landscape. However, there is a risk of over-reporting availability, with some companies overstating their capacity to meet growing energy storage demand.
Portugal has made grid-forming mandatory for large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) as part of efforts to strengthen the reliability of its electricity grid. The country has also launched a tender for 1GW of new BESS capacity. IPP Sonnedix has recently commissioned two solar-plus-storage projects in Portugal.
CleanTechnica