U.S. solar projects increase battery co-location as storage share rises
Utility-scale solar developers in the U.S. are pairing more new photovoltaic capacity with battery storage as market conditions make flexible output more valuable. The share of new solar capacity added in 2026 with co-located batteries stands at more than 16% as of September, with operator plans pointing to further gains by year-end and into 2027 and 2028.
Highlights
- More than 16% of new U.S. utility-scale solar capacity added in 2026 is co-located with battery storage, up from 2% in 2017.
- Developers plan for co-located battery storage to reach 19% of new solar capacity by end-2026 and over 30% in projects for 2027-2028.
- California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada have co-located solar and battery shares more than double the national average amid high solar penetration.
Solar and storage buildout gains momentum
As reported by Today in Energy from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, operators say more than 16% of new utility-scale solar capacity added in 2026 is co-located with operable battery storage, up from 2% in 2017.Plans for solar additions scheduled to come online in the final three months of this year indicate that the share could reach 19% by the end of 2026. Longer-term project plans submitted for 2027 and 2028 show the portion rising to more than 30%, indicating that developers continue to integrate storage into new solar buildouts.
Developers use co-located batteries to choose whether solar electricity is sent directly to the grid or stored for later discharge, depending on wholesale power prices. That flexibility can improve project value in markets where prices weaken during periods of strong solar output and rise when solar generation falls.
Southwest states lead co-located capacity
Regions with large solar penetration are showing the strongest concentration of paired solar and battery assets. As of September, solar photovoltaic accounts for 13% of total U.S. utility-scale generating capacity, and 18% of that solar capacity is co-located with battery storage.California, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada all post co-located solar and battery shares that are more than double the national average. The concentration in those Southwest states reflects both their comparatively high solar capacity shares and the growing operational value of storage in markets with heavy daytime solar generation.
Our earlier article on the U.S. AI data center buildout highlighted how rapid expansion plans are running into financing stress, construction delays, and mounting power constraints. We noted that rising capital costs and local pushback are forcing developers to prove they can secure reliable electricity supply and deliver projects on time, or risk losing investor confidence.
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