Solar, Batteries Take the Reins in California's Energy Race

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Written by Will Ploch, Assistant Editor-in-Chief for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

California has pushed for solar and battery-storage technology harder than most other U.S. states, and those efforts are bearing fruit as these resources hold larger shares of the state's power-generation portfolio than ever before... and there's more in development.

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Let the Sun Shine On

California's years-long investment in solar energy is starting to pay off: In the first five months of 2026, utility-scale solar generation surpassed natural gas-fired generation in areas where the power grid is managed by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Solar output increased 21% when compared with the first five months of 2024, while natural gas generation decreased 60%. Industrial Info Resources is tracking about $49 billion worth of active and proposed utility-scale solar projects across California, 75% of which is attributed to grassroot projects.

CAISO manages the high-voltage grid for about 80% of California. Areas excluded include the northernmost and southernmost areas, along with most of Los Angeles and Sacramento.

"Both solar generating capacity and battery-storage capacity have grown in CAISO over the past two years, while natural gas generation capacity has remained flat," the EIA said Tuesday. "From April 2024 to April 2026, utility-scale solar capacity increased 19% to 25 gigawatts (GW), and net battery-storage capacity increased 79% to 16 GW. Natural gas capacity remained nearly unchanged at 29 GW."

According to Industrial Info Resources data, more than $3.7 billion worth of solar-generation projects could begin construction in California before the end of 2026. These include the University of California Berkeley's microgrid system addition, which will supply 65 megawatts (MW) to the campus through a battery energy-storage system (BESS) unit, as well as rooftop, carport and ground-mounted solar and green hydrogen-ready fuel cells.

The microgrid is part of the university's long-term effort to transform its campus to replace its aging cogeneration plant with a fully electrified, renewable-fueled source. Industrial Info Resources offers more information on Berkeley's microgrid in its Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Plant and Project databases, where readers can find details--including construction schedules, investment values and necessary equipment--in a plant profile and project report.

By the Numbers

• About $49 billion: Total investment value of active and proposed utility-scale solar projects across California
• 21%: Growth in California's solar output for the first five months of 2026, compared with the same period in 2024
• $11.5 billion: Total investment value of active and proposed stand-alone battery-storage projects across California

California's Stand-Alone Stands Alone

In addition to utility-scale solar projects, Industrial Info Resources is tracking $11.5 billion worth of active and proposed stand-alone battery-storage projects across California, including several set to begin construction before the end of the year. These include LS Power Group's BESS unit in Commerce, California, which is designed to generate 250 MW from lithium-ion technology provided by LG Chemical Limited.

The Commerce project could be followed by a second phase in the coming years, which is designed to double capacity to 500 MW. Readers can learn more about these projects from a detailed plant profile and reports on Phase I and Phase II.

Other battery-storage projects set to kick off in the near term include International Electric Power LLC's Haybarn Energy Reliability Center at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. The Marine Corps base is to be supplied with up to 50 MW from EOS Energy's non-lithium, long duration batteries. Readers can consult a detailed plant profile and project report.

"In the first five months of 2026, battery-storage discharge tripled compared with the same period in 2024," the EIA said. "Despite increasing generation from solar and batteries and a 7% increase in demand over this time period, there was a 19% decrease in net generation as electricity imports from nearby systems doubled in CAISO. The increase in imports was driven by relatively inexpensive electricity generation coming online and available for import."

The Industrial Info Resources GMI Project and Plant databases offer a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and a full list of related plant profiles.

Industrial Info Resources also offers full lists of reports for active and proposed utility-scale solar projects and stand-alone battery-storage projects across California.

Key Takeaways

• In the first five months of 2026, utility-scale solar generation surpassed natural gas-fired generation in CAISO-run areas.
• More than $3.7 billion worth of solar-generation projects could begin construction in California before the end of 2026.
• In the first five months of 2026, battery-storage discharge in CAISO-run areas tripled when compared with the same period in 2024.

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news, and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing, and energy-related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified, and verified plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).