San Jose solar container battery is available for public use

Why are California's solar batteries so important?

That’s now changing. Since 2020, California has installed more giant batteries than anywhere in the world apart from China. They can soak up excess solar power during the day and store it for use when it gets dark. Those batteries play a pivotal role in California’s electric grid, partially replacing fossil fuels in the evening.

Where is the largest battery storage facility in California?

A battery storage facility under construction in Menifee, Calif., in March. The site, at 43 acres, is expected to be the largest in the state when completed.

Can battery storage slash planet-warming emissions?

Nationwide, battery storage is being used to address renewable energy’s biggest weakness: the fact that the wind and sun aren’t always available. Grid batteries could be a useful tool to slash planet-warming emissions, experts say, though they still need further advances in terms of costs, technologies and how they are used.

Why does California need more solar power?

California draws more electricity from the sun than any other state. It also has a timing problem: Solar power is plentiful during the day but disappears by evening, just as people get home from work and electricity demand spikes. To fill the gap, power companies typically burn more fossil fuels like natural gas. That’s now changing.