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In the first five months of 2026, utility-scale solar generation surpassed natural gas generation in CAISO. Solar electricity generation in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) over the first five months of 2026 increased 21% compared with the same period in 2024, and natural gas generation decreased by 60%, data from our Hourly Electric Grid Monitor shows.
Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Hourly Electric Grid Monitor. Note: CAISO=California Independent System Operator.
In CAISO, utility-scale solar generated more electricity than natural gas on a daily basis on 82% of days in the first five months of 2026, up from 21% in 2024 and 2025.
Both solar generating capacity and battery storage capacity have grown in CAISO over the past two years while natural gas generation capacity has remained flat, according to our Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory. From April 2024 to April 2026, utility-scale solar capacity increased 19% to 25 gigawatts (GW), and net battery storage capacity increased 79% to 16 GW. Natural gas capacity remained nearly unchanged at 29 GW. Total net capacity increased by 14% (11 GW) over this period.
