Strengthening the U.S. Electric Grid with Solar and Battery Storage

A new policy roadmap highlights how renewable energy solutions, particularly solar and battery storage systems, can play a central role in making the U.S. electric grid more reliable, affordable, and resilient.

Meeting Rising Energy Demand with Renewable Energy

As electricity demand grows due to rapid expansion of data centers, artificial intelligence, and electrification, the report emphasizes that expanding solar and storage projects is critical for keeping pace. These technologies are positioned as essential tools for delivering reliable and cost-effective power while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Key Policy Priorities

The roadmap outlines several actions needed at the federal, state, and local levels to accelerate renewable deployment:

• Domestic supply chains: Building robust U.S.-based manufacturing for solar and battery storage components.
• High-demand zones: Streamlining approval for renewable projects near energy-intensive hubs.
• Grid interconnection reform: Reducing delays and costs to connect solar and storage systems.
• Transmission upgrades: Expanding capacity to deliver renewable energy across regions.
• Long-duration storage: Investing in advanced storage technologies to improve grid resilience.
• Market reform: Adjusting wholesale electricity markets to reflect the value of renewable energy and storage.
• Utility planning: Ensuring state resource planning recognizes solar and storage as reliable capacity resources.
• Distributed energy solutions: Supporting virtual power plants and local renewable projects to strengthen both community and grid reliability.

Unlocking the Potential of Solar and Storage

Today, solar power and battery storage represent a large share of new energy projects being deployed across the U.S. These systems not only provide clean power but also deliver resilience by balancing demand fluctuations and supporting grid stability.

The agenda underscores that renewable energy adoption must go hand in hand with investment in distributed storage, allowing households, businesses, and communities to directly benefit from secure and cost-effective power.

Preparing for the Future

By investing in renewable energy and battery storage, the U.S. can modernize its energy infrastructure, reduce vulnerability to extreme weather, and meet rising consumption needs from industries and households alike.

This policy roadmap frames solar and storage not just as clean technologies but as critical enablers of a stronger, more resilient energy future.