California and Texas have found one thing both states can agree on: making significant investments in solar and storage. For both states, it seems the effort is paying off.
The two largest states in the country were able to meet record electricity demand this summer at “vastly reduced” wholesale electricity prices thanks to new solar and storage, per new analysis from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
Texans d $3.55 billion and Californians d $2.5 billion between June and August 2026, compared to the same period in 2021, SEIA found. This wouldn’t have been possible without massive buildout in both states: from 2021 to 2026 solar generation increased 421% in Texas and 90% in California, and battery storage capacity grew more than 26-fold in Texas and nearly sevenfold in California.
The numbers are promising: CAISO used 2.5% more power this summer than the same time in 2021, but saw an average wholesale electricity price 40% lower after inflation calculations. ERCOT used 30.1% more power this summer than the same time in 2021, and saw an average wholesale price 42% lower after inflation.
“As the midterm elections approach, delivering affordable, reliable power is a priority that transcends party lines and Texas and California are proof that the growth of solar and storage is driving down prices,” said Tim Pawlenty, SEIA CEO.
The clean energy naysayers may try to tell you that renewables are more expensive than their fossil fuel alternatives, but results speak louder than words.
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Another 1 GW of ‘BYOC’
Voltus and Google have announced an expanded agreement to build a 1 GW virtual power plant (VPP) in PJM territory, building off an initial agreement the two parties signed in June for 100 MW.
Under the agreement, Voltus will aggregate new capacity from local businesses and homes into a Google-funded VPP. When the grid gets strained, Voltus can signal certain sites to adjust their energy use through batteries, smart thermostats, industrial process adjustments, and other flexible assets.
“This significant expansion of our work with Google translates data center growth into direct economic benefits for businesses and homes,” said Dana Guernsey, CEO of Voltus. “Through this partnership we are proud to bring much needed clean capacity online, at gigawatt scale.”
Last year, Voltus announced its BYOC program, which allows large loads hyperscalers to provide firm, flexible capacity to facilitate data center interconnection and support the grid. Participating customers can receive benefits bill savings or direct payments for their involvement in the program.
Pivoting to more power
Pivot Energy, an independent power producer of distributed-scale solar and energy storage, announced the closing of a bilateral $500 million corporate credit facility with Nuveen Energy Infrastructure Capital, part of the $2.6 trillion asset management firm wholly owned by TIAA.
The three-year facility supports Pivot, an ECP portfolio company, by financing late-stage project development and equipment procurement and by providing additional capacity in line with Pivot’s growing operating asset base. Pivot says the financing will help it bring more solar and battery storage online “where it is needed most,” including dispatchable projects sited on constrained parts of the grid.
By the end of 2029, Pivot expects to have over 1 gigawatt of solar and more than 700 megawatt-hours of energy storage assets in operation.
“This is the most transformational financing in Pivot’s history,” said Tom Hunt, CEO of Pivot Energy. “It reflects how far we’ve come, from an early-stage developer to an established IPP that owns and operates the assets we build. Nuveen EIC’s partnership gives us the capital to bring locally sited solar and storage projects online faster, delivering affordable, clean energy to the communities and customers we serve. We see this as the start of a long-term partnership and a key to unlock our bold growth trajectory.”
MISO’s major transmission project
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) has selected a consortium of Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI), a subsidiary of Ameren; GridLiance Heartland, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Transmission; and Dairyland Power Cooperative to develop, build, operate and maintain a major transmission project in Iowa. ATXI and GridLiance will lead the development of this project and own it jointly with Dairyland once it is placed in service.
The East Adair – Minnesota/Iowa State Line – Arbor Hill – York Avenue (EASL) project is foundational to a new 765-kilovolt (kV) backbone in the region. The total MISO estimated cost for this competitive transmission project is approximately $1.23 billion. ATXI, GridLiance, and Dairyland will have ownership stakes in the project of 42.5%, 42.5%, and 15%, respectively.
“A strong transmission system is essential to delivering the reliable electricity our communities depend on today while preparing for the needs of tomorrow,” said Brent Ridge, president and CEO of Dairyland Power Cooperative. “This project will strengthen the regional grid, improve resiliency and create greater flexibility to accommodate future energy resources and economic growth.”
The EASL project includes the construction of one new 765-kV transmission line spanning approximately 187 miles, one 345/765-kV substation named East Adair, and two new 345-kV transmission lines spanning approximately 22 miles in total.
Solar in my Sandwich?
Credit: Generate Capital and TurningPoint Energy
Generate Capital and TurningPoint Energy celebrated the ribbon-cutting of a new 3.5-megawatt alternating current (MWac) community solar project in the City of Sandwich, Illinois, marking one of the first community solar projects in Kendall County developed through Illinois’ Adjustable Block Program, now known as Illinois Shines.
The project is part of an eight-project, 34.5 MWac portfolio developed by TPE and financed, built, owned, and operated by Generate.
The solar array spans approximately 23 acres and utilizes single-axis tracking technology with backtracking and bifacial solar modules to maximize energy production. The facility is expected to generate more than 8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of taking more than 1,640 gas-powered cars off the road each year.
The project also incorporates agrivoltaic and pollinator-friendly land management practices, using sheep grazing to naturally maintain vegetation and native flowering plants to support pollinator populations and enhance biodiversity.
“Community solar is a great example of how sustainable infrastructure can deliver immediate, tangible benefits to the communities it serves,” said Peggy Flannery, Managing Director, Investments at Generate Capital. “Together with TurningPoint Energy, we’re bringing reliable, locally generated power to Illinois communities while helping residents and small businesses lower their energy costs. We’re proud to invest in, build and operate projects this for the long term and to expand access to affordable clean energy across the state.”
The Sandwich project is part of a broader eight-project, 34.5 MWac Illinois community solar portfolio that is being brought online across the state.
CleanChoice Energy expands further into solar generation
CleanChoice Energy, a renewable energy supplier, announced the closing of an up to $85 million term loan facility with Aiga Capital Partners, an institutional investment platform that specializes in innovative financing solutions for North American-based companies developing sustainable infrastructure assets.
These funds will support CleanChoice’s continued expansion into solar generation, and the financing comes on the heels of a successful $166 million project financing raise for CleanChoice’s second and third solar projects.
“This financing helps us sustain momentum as we evolve into a new chapter of our business, growing from our retail roots — offering consumers access to clean energy — to now also generating clean energy for the grid,” said Tom Matzzie, CEO of CleanChoice Energy. “Our generation platform is an important part of CleanChoice’s strategy to make regional clean energy more accessible, a farm-to-table approach to renewable energy.”
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