In 2024, solar installations will make up 58% of new electricity production, with battery storage contributing 23%, says the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The EIA reports that battery storage additions will set a record this year, as long as developers follow through with plans to add 14.3GW in the coming months. The U.S. currently has 15.5GW of storage capacity.
According to Utility Dive, Texas, California, and Florida will contribute more than half, with Texas bringing in a whopping 35%, followed by California with 10%, and Florida at 6%. Further, Nevada is expected to bring the Gemini solar facility online this year, in partnership with Primergy Solar. Once finished, it will be capable of generating 690 MW of solar power and 380 MW of battery storage, making it the largest solar project in the country.
The upcoming additions of renewables in the U.S. electricity mix are in large part due to provisions within the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
“The Inflation Reduction Act has also accelerated the development of energy storage by introducing investment tax credits for stand-alone storage,” said the EIA.
Tax credits, incentives, and bonuses have contributed significantly to increased solar and storage installations, manufacturing, and the need for a skilled workforce.
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