Field-tested hurricane survival strategies for solar
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has published “Solar Under Storm III,” analyzing hurricane impacts on solar farms in the Caribbean after Hurricane Beryl and identifying key failure modes and risk-mitigation measures.
Design solar for storage now, or retrofit at a premium later
New analysis of retrofitting solar power plants with energy storage, accounting for the industry’s rapidly falling prices, suggests that prepping your solar projects today has a strong chance of being in your financial interest.
California solar curtailment down 12% on back of batteries
For the first five months of 2025, CAISO data showed solar electricity curtailment declined by 12% as a share of generation, falling from 13% to 11.5%, even as solar output grew 18% year over year. During this period, however, curtailment still rose 4.1% in absolute terms, with March showing a 28% increase, matching the prior year’s peak.
Solar becomes top source of electricity in California
Over the past 12 months, solar power has become California’s largest source of electricity, a trend likely to continue.
Tesla deploys 9.6 GWh in Q2, Nevada cell plant nears completion
Tesla deployed 9.6 GWh of battery storage in the second quarter of 2025, with year-to-date volumes up nearly 50% from 2024. The company recorded flat quarterly growth and says its 10 GWh Nevada cell factory is close to completion.
Solar surpasses 10% of U.S. electrical generation for a full month for the first time
In April, solar photovoltaics accounted for 10.64% of all electricity generation, according to the EIA. Combined with wind, the two sources neared 25%, while carbon-free electricity edged above 49%.
Sunnova solar assets stable, paying interest, while bankruptcy continues
Bond research firm KBRA, which has rated $6 billion of solar-backed securities issued by recently bankrupt Sunnova, is maintaining its ratings and says the loan and lease packages remain stable investments, independent of the reorganizing company.
Batteries set new output record in California
Amid industry turmoil, California has been setting new benchmarks for the volume of instantaneous electricity injected into the grid by the state’s battery and solar sites.
Battery and battery tech developments in brief from the floor of Intersolar 2025
Europe’s largest solar power event filled 18 very large halls in Munich, and new launches ranged from balcony solar to cow poop innovations.
Cow poop (and more) on the floor at Intersolar
Cow dung battery binder, a beautiful electric moped, parking lot level car charging, big rig charging, and “balcony solar” energy storage on the floor at Europe’s largest solar power show.
