Long term savings with solar plus storage installation 2026

What is solar-plus-storage?

For solar-plus-storage—the pairing of solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage technologies—NREL researchers study and quantify the unique economic and grid benefits reaped by distributed and utility-scale systems. Much of NREL's current energy storage research is informing solar-plus-storage analysis.

How has solar-plus-storage helped keep the lights on?

Adding 19 GW of solar and 6.2 GW of storage since 2019 helped keep the lights on – an 800% increase in solar and 5,500% increase in battery storage over that period. Solar-plus-storage is solving demand growth by providing reliable power when the grid needs it most – during peak hours.

How does solar-plus-storage affect energy systems?

Solar-plus-storage shifts some of the solar system's output to evening and night hours and provides other grid benefits. NREL employs a variety of analysis approaches to understand the factors that influence solar-plus-storage deployment and how solar-plus-storage will affect energy systems.

Is energy storage a viable option for utility-scale solar energy systems?

Energy storage has become an increasingly common component of utility-scale solar energy systems in the United States. Much of NREL's analysis for this market segment focuses on the grid impacts of solar-plus-storage systems, though costs and benefits are also frequently considered.

Can solar-plus-storage meet rising demand without gas?

Energy Innovation analysis shows clean energy can come online fast enough to meet rising demand without needing gas to fill the gap, and solar-plus-storage has stepped up.

How much will solar and battery storage cost in 2035?

But solar and battery storage costs have both fallen around 90% over the last decade. By 2035, solar costs could fall nearly 10% and battery storage costs could fall nearly 50%. “New solar plants, even without subsidies, are within touching distance of new U.S. gas plants,” said BloombergNEF’s Amar Vasdev.