utilitydive.com·May 26, 2026
In the first quarter of 2026, U.S. energy storage installations reached a record 9.7 GWh, marking a 32% increase year-over-year, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The growth is attributed to rising demand from data centers, although federal policy gridlock poses a potential threat to the industry's future trajectory.
The most valuable insight for someone tracking greentech and energy storage is that U.S. energy storage installations reached a record high in Q1 2026, increasing by 32% year-over-year, with projections of 613 GWh by 2030. However, federal policy gridlock poses a risk to this trajectory, highlighting the importance of a supportive policy landscape for continued growth in the sector.