Solar, Wind, Battery Storage, And Politics — It’s Complicated

Texas set new electricity demand records this summer, breaking its old peak 45 times and hitting an all-time high of 91.1 gigawatts in July. Unlike the 2023 heat waves, which brought conservation warnings and a grid emergency, this summer passed without a single blackout or plea to cut usage. Grid operators credit the growth of solar, wind, and battery storage, which kept power flowing even during a stretch of 100-degree days in Houston. There was enough extra renewable power on hand to keep charging batteries even at peak demand.

Beyond the grid, solar work is becoming one of the more promising career paths in the country, with federal data projecting strong job growth and pay around $53,000 a year for solar panel installers. That growth reflects a broader trend: solar and battery storage have gotten cheap enough to outcompete older power sources in many markets, which is part of why they're playing a bigger role in keeping grids stable during extreme weather.

Meanwhile, a large wind, solar, and battery project is moving forward in northern Colorado after a close county vote. The plan drew objections over cultural and environmental concerns, along with pushback from area ranchers who weren't sure how much it would actually benefit their community. It's a reminder that even as renewable energy keeps proving its value on the grid, individual projects still face real local resistance over land use and who benefits from them.