A summer of solar and battery storage records in Texas

AI generated summary

Texas has set remarkable records in solar energy generation and battery storage during the summer of 2025, with solar power meeting nearly half of the state's electricity demand on September 9. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reported that solar accounted for over 40% of the state's electricity for seven consecutive hours, marking a significant increase in output compared to previous years. From June to August, solar energy contributed 15.2% of total demand, surpassing coal's 12.5% share, and reached an average peak output of 20,817 megawatts, reflecting a substantial growth in solar capacity.

Battery storage has also played a crucial role, with 15,008 megawatts of installed capacity that helps balance supply and demand by storing excess solar energy for later use. In September alone, battery storage set multiple discharge records, providing 10.6% of total power demand during peak evening hours. Overall, wind and solar resources have met 90% of the increased power demand in ERCOT, highlighting the ongoing transition away from fossil fuels, as renewables now account for 37.7% of the electricity market, a significant rise from just 15% a decade ago.