California has installed more than 21 GW of energy storage across the state, making it one of the largest battery fleets in the world, said the California Energy Commission.
When Gov. Gavin Newsom took office in 2019, less than 700 MW of battery storage served the grid. The jump to 21,112 MW is an increase of more than 2,500% in just seven-and-a-half years. That’s equivalent to roughly one-third of the statewide peak demand, which exceeded 63,000 MW during the September 2022 heat wave.
“While Donald Trump is hellbent on burning more expensive fossil fuels and raising costs for Americans, California is proving there’s a better way — from new instant rebates putting thousands of dollars back in the pockets of first-time electric car buyers, to an arsenal of batteries across the state that just topped 21,000 MW, the nation’s largest, helping power the world’s fourth-largest economy,” Newsom said. “California is showing the world what real economic security looks like. It’s one that can’t be held hostage by foreign conflicts and Big Oil. The Golden State is leading the charge on building a reliable, affordable clean future.”
Of the total 21,112 MW of battery storage serving Californians, nearly 16,000 MW comes from 310 utility-scale battery systems located within California, and an additional 2,000 MW comes from utility-scale battery facilities located in Nevada and Arizona. These resources are part of the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) grid, which serves about 80% of Californians.
Another 3,000 MW comes from more than 300,000 smaller battery systems installed at homes, schools, farms, businesses and industrial facilities across the state.
Energy storage systems storing solar power removes the need to turn to gas peaker plants for electricity. For the first time, Californians used more solar than natural gas during the first half of 2026.
Comparing January through June of 2024 to that same stretch in 2026, solar power usage grew by 22%, while natural gas usage dropped by 51%, according to the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) analysis of state grid data. Meanwhile, battery storage capacity on the grid grew by 80% over that same period, giving solar power somewhere to go even after the sun sets.
“California has always prioritized innovation, investing in the science and technology of the future and advancing the goalpost on what is possible,” said CEC Chair David Hochschild. “Seeing solar surpass gas on the grid is proof that our vision of a 100% clean energy future is absolutely possible.”
While seasonal factors play a role — solar production is strong and electricity use is relatively moderate in spring — the trend highlights how the growing contribution of solar and battery storage are changing the way California’s grid operates.
This shift reflects years of investment in clean energy infrastructure. Since 2019, California has added more than 37,000 MW of clean and renewable energy resources to the grid, leading the nation in deployment of new electricity resources and transforming the state’s electric system.
Looking ahead
California estimates more than 52,000 MW of battery and long-duration energy storage will be needed by 2045 as electricity demand grows from continued electrification of transportation, buildings and industry operations. With this update, California is now 41% of the way toward its goal.
Batteries are essential to California achieving 100% clean electricity retail sales by 2045. The latest numbers, from end of 2024, show remarkable progress: 67% of retail electric sales come from clean energy.
This progress is increasingly evident on the CAISO grid. Last year, clean energy resources met 100% of grid demand for at least some portion of the day on 279 days. For the first half of 2026, the CAISO grid has hit that mark on 92% of the days.
The state is committed to rolling out clean energy infrastructure as quickly and safely as possible. The CEC’s Opt-In Certification Program, California’s accelerated permitting program for clean energy infrastructure, has approved 1,850 MW of battery storage and 1,450 MW of solar generation in the past year, with more than 3,000 MW in the queue and more being added. These projects undergo rigorous environmental and safety review by the CEC and include agreements that provide benefits to the communities in which projects are located.