In the first five months of 2026, utility-scale solar generation in California’s CAISO grid exceeded natural gas for the first time, rising 21% compared with 2024, while natural gas generation fell 60%. Solar supplied more electricity than gas on 82% of days, reflecting a rapid shift in the state’s power mix, reports the US Energy Information Administration.

This transition has been driven by strong growth in renewable infrastructure. Utility-scale solar capacity increased 19% to 25 GW, while battery storage surged 79% to 16 GW, enabling excess midday solar power to be stored and used during evening demand peaks. Battery discharge has tripled since 2024, strengthening grid flexibility even as demand rose 7%.

Despite higher renewable output, overall net generation fell by 19% due to increased electricity imports from neighboring regions, including hydropower from the Pacific Northwest and wind from new projects in the Southwest. Natural gas capacity remained largely flat, highlighting a structural shift toward renewables and storage in California’s electricity system.

California’s grid is rapidly transitioning toward solar and battery storage dominance, reducing reliance on natural gas while increasing imports to balance supply and demand.

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