Prime Highlights
- The US recorded its highest-ever quarterly storage installations at 9.7 GWh, up 32% year on year.
- Over 467 solar and storage projects face permit delays under the current federal administration.
Key Facts
- SEIA is the United States’ primary solar industry trade association, tracking clean energy growth and policy impact.
- More than 70% of new utility-scale storage was installed in states that voted for President Trump.
Background
The United States set a new quarterly record for energy storage installations in the first three months of 2026, with developers adding 9.7 gigawatt-hours of new capacity. The figures come from a joint industry report released this week by the Solar Energy Industries Association and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.
Storage capacity grew 32% compared to the same period last year. The report credits surging demand from data centres, unstable electricity prices, and disruptions to global gas supplies and gas turbine availability as the primary drivers behind the push.
Major technology companies are fuelling much of that demand. Google and Meta have both signed deals this year to secure tens of thousands of megawatt-hours of storage capacity to power the data centres running their AI systems.
Utility-scale projects led the growth, accounting for 7.8 GWh of the quarter’s total installations. Commercial and industrial systems contributed 648 megawatt-hours, while residential systems added 515 megawatt-hours. Texas, Arizona, and California topped the charts for utility-scale installations. Notably, over 70% of utility-scale capacity added during the quarter came from states that voted for President Donald Trump.
Despite the record numbers, the industry faces serious headwinds. The Trump administration’s focus on oil, gas, coal, and nuclear has resulted in a freeze on approvals for major clean energy projects. The report flags 467 solar and storage projects with permits pending, which could face delays or outright cancellation.
The SEIA warned that if federal permitting bottlenecks continue, household electricity bills will keep rising and China will gain further ground in the global AI race. The report projects more than 610 GWh of storage additions by 2030.
