SUN DAY Campaign: Wrap-up of News Story Excerpts (New Studies & Data on Sustainable Energy and Climate Change) for July 27-August 9, 2026
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July 27-August 9, 2026
To: Recipients
From: Ken Bossong, editor
Re. News Story Excerpts (New Studies & Data on Sustainable Energy & Climate Change)
Note: News story excerpts provided below do not necessarily reflect the views of the SUN DAY Campaign or any of its respective members.
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BI-WEEKLY NEWS STORY EXCERPTS
NEW STUDIES, DATA, AND RESOURCES:
Mixed/Multi-Sector:
The U.S. Clean Energy Boom Will Continue to 2030 but Then Things Get Hazy:
Canary Media, by Julian Spector, July 29, 2026
In their new annual “Taking Stock” report, Rhodium Group says renewables are set for big growth over the next few years, despite Trump’s attacks. Whether it lasts depends on some key variables. The good news is that solar, wind, and battery construction is still on track to bust records through the end of the decade. The bad news: After 2030, all bets are off; the spectrum of plausible outcomes runs from clean energy maintaining record installations to new construction nearly drying up in the face of competition from natural gas plants. In Rhodium’s low-emissions scenario, the low-carbon sources continue to romp, reaching 53-GW of annual installations through 2040 while holding new gas plants to just 5-GW annually. In the high-emissions scenario, the inverted price dynamics elevate gas to 16-GW of annual deployments and suppress clean energy construction to just 3-GW per year. In the middle scenario, renewables fall to an average of 16-GW annually in the first half of the 2030s, then rebound to 45-GW for the second half; annual gas additions meanwhile sit at about 9-GW over the course of the decade.
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Solar:
‘Wait-and-See’ Approach Driving Stability in U.S. Module Prices:
PV-Tech.org. by J.P. Casey, July 31, 2026
Figures from solar and storage supply chain platform Anza show that the median price for a solar PV module assembled in the U.S. held steady at $0.3/W, marking the third consecutive month of this average module price in the U.S. Even looking earlier this year, there has been relatively little change in U.S. module prices, with median prices increasing by just $0.0005/W between April and May this year, prior to the three months of stable prices.
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The World Crossed a Major Solar Milestone:
Bloomberg.com, by Akshat Rathi, August 3, 2026
The rapid deployment of solar power is one of the greatest stories of the 21st century. After crossing the 100-gigawatt mark in 2012, it took the world 10 years to deploy 1 terawatt of solar power. An additional 1 terawatt, enough to meet all of US power demand at its peak, took less than three years to build. Not even two years later in 2026 - the precise timing is subject to debate among analysts - the 3-terawatt threshold was reached. No one really noticed. Forecasters are so bullish about solar that, in just a few years, the 3-terawatt milestone will seem almost insignificant. BNEF expects the world to deploy more than 9 terawatts of solar by 2036.
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In a First, Utah Got More Power from Solar Than Any Other Source:
Grist, by Leia Larsen, August 6, 2026
Utah used to run on coal, but now renewables are surging. According to data from Ember, the state’s solar generation eclipsed all other electricity sources for the first time ever in May, the culmination of a slow but steady years-long shift away from coal. Photovoltaic panels in Utah produced nearly 1-TWh in May 2026. That represented nearly a third of all electricity generated in the state that month. Natural gas generated 32 percent, coal generated 28 percent, and wind 2 percent.
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Wind:
Nordex Scores 480-MW U.S. Turbine Hat-Trick:
ReNews.Biz, by Vicky Doe, August 4, 2026
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The Nordex Group has secured three U.S. orders with a combined capacity of more than 480-MW. The contracts cover the supply of 81 N163/5.X turbines for three projects. The turbines for the projects will be manufactured at the Nordex Group’s production plant in Iowa and delivered in line with customer-specific requirements. The names of the customers, the locations of the projects and the financial terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
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Bioenergy:
Ethanol Capacity Ticks Up in May as Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Capacity Hold Steady:
Biomass Magazine, by Erin Krueger, August 5, 2026
According to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, total operable U.S. biofuels capacity increased slightly in May, with gains for ethanol while biodiesel and renewable diesel capacity were unchanged. Total biofuel production capacity reached 25.298 billion gallons per year in May, up 14 MMgy when compared to the previous month and up 270 MMgy when compared to May 2025. Ethanol capacity reached 18.374 billion gallons per year in May, up 14 MMgy when compared to April and up 62 MMgy when compared to May of last year. Biodiesel production capacity, at 1.955 billion gallons per year, was unchanged when compared to April, but down 29 MMgy when compared to May 2025.
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Biofuel Feedstock Consumption Expanded in May:
Biomass Magazine, by Erin Krueger, August 5, 2026
According to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. biofuel producers consumed 30.749 billion pounds of feedstock in May, up 10% when compared to April and up 8% when compared to May 2025. Biofuel producers consumed 26.612 billion pounds of corn in May, up from 10% when compared to the previous month and up 7% when compared to May of last year. Grain sorghum consumption reached 598 million pounds, up 9% when compared to April, but down 10% when compared to May 2025.
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New Data Reveals How America’s Biogas Is Used Today:
Biomass Magazine, August 7, 2026
According to new data released by the American Biogas Council, over half of America’s biogas is used for electricity generation, even as the share upgraded to renewable natural gas has nearly doubled since 2020. Approximately 53% of U.S. biogas is used for power generation, 46% is converted to RNG, and just over 1% is used to produce renewable heat, illustrating how different sectors use biogas to meet different energy needs. The way captured biogas is used has shifted significantly over the past five years. In 2020, only about one-quarter of captured biogas was upgraded into RNG. Today, that share has nearly doubled as new projects increasingly choose RNG as their primary energy product, reflecting changing market opportunities.
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Hydropower:
Hybridizing Hydro Could Ease Grid Constraints:
Renewable Energy World, by Pamela Largue, August 3, 2026
A new report by think tank Ember shows that adding wind and solar behind the meter of existing hydropower assets could not only lower network build-out costs but also bypass grid constraints altogether. The analysis shows that hydropower plants eligible for hybridization operate at 19% of their maximum output on average. Adding wind and solar could increase utilization to 36% and 31%, respectively. While sites vary, in some cases wind and solar could potentially triple use of the same grid connection. More specifically, 25-GW of new wind and solar can be added behind the meter of existing hydropower plants without disrupting typical dispatch behavior.
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Storage:
Global Battery Storage Capacity Projected to Surge Sixfold by 2030:
PV-Magazine, by Ryan Kennedy, July 27 2026
According to a report from GlobalData, global battery energy storage capacity is projected to expand sixfold between 2025 and 2030 at a 42% compound annual growth rate, driven by utility procurement, grid constraints, and surging power demand from AI data centers. The U.S. market closed 2025 with a record-setting 57.6-GWh of new storage additions, bringing total cumulative grid-scale capacity to 137-GWh. Market momentum has accelerated into 2026, with first-quarter installations reaching 9.7-GWh, representing a 32% year-over-year increase and marking the largest first quarter on record for the domestic sector. Front-of-the-meter utility-scale projects represent over 75% of domestic volume, with developers adding 7.8-GWh in the first quarter of 2026 alone. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that developers will bring 24-GW of utility-scale batteries online throughout 2026, with buildouts concentrated heavily in Texas at 53%, California at 14%, and Arizona at 13%.
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Energy Storage Corporate Funding Declines to $8.9 Billion in H1’26:
Renewables Now, by Veselina Petrova, August 4, 2026
According to Mercom Capital Group, corporate funding in the global energy storage segment, including venture capital (VC) funding, debt and public market financing, slipped by 2% in annual terms in the first half of 2026 to $8.9 billion. The total was raised across 73 deals, the number of which rose from 55 a year back. The higher activity was recorded despite the continued policy, trade and supply chain uncertainty in the sector. At $1.6 billion, VC funding decreased from $1.7 billion, while the number of deals rose to 51 from 36 in the first half of 2025. Downstream energy storage firms were responsible for most of the VC funding, followed by metal-hydrogen and lithium-ion-focused battery companies, energy storage systems providers and battery recycling companies. Announced debt and public market financing for the energy storage segment totaled $7.3 billion from 22 deals, marking a 1% drop from a year ago. In the meantime, merger and acquisition activity spurred and marked a 275% year-on-year jump with 15 transactions, against only four in January-June 2025.
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Battery Storage Capacity Averaged 70% Growth Over the Last Three Years:
U.S. Energy Information Administration, August 7, 2026
Utility-scale battery storage capacity in the U.S. increased significantly during the last three years, with an annual average growth rate of 70%. By the end of 2025, the U.S. power system had operational battery storage capacity of 43.6-GW. During the first six months of 2026, operators added another 8.3-GW of battery storage capacity, reaching nearly 52-GW of nameplate battery storage capacity. Operators anticipate bringing an additional 54-GW of battery storage capacity online over the next two and half years, according to plans they have reported. Plans for additional capacity coming online in the second half of this year total 14-GW. Operators currently plan to add 26-GW in 2027 and 14-GW in 2028. Solar photovoltaic plants host the largest battery storage capacity units.
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California Surpasses 21-GW of Energy Storage Connected to Grid:
Solar Power World, by Kelly Pickerel, August 7, 2026
According to the California Energy Commission, the state has installed more than 21-GW of energy storage across the state, making it one of the largest battery fleets in the world. When Governor Gavin Newsom took office in 2019, less than 700-MW of battery storage served the grid. The jump to 21,112-MW is an increase of more than 2,500% in just seven-and-a-half years. That’s equivalent to roughly one-third of the statewide peak demand, which exceeded 63,000-MW during the September 2022 heat wave. Of the total battery storage serving Californians, nearly 16,000-MW comes from 310 utility-scale battery systems located within California, and an additional 2,000-MW comes from utility-scale battery facilities located in Nevada and Arizona. These resources are part of the California Independent System Operator grid, which serves about 80% of Californians. Another 3,000-MW comes from more than 300,000 smaller battery systems installed at homes, schools, farms, businesses and industrial facilities across the state.
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Electric Vehicles:
Hybrid Sales Rise While Battery Electric Sales Remain Lower After Tax Credit Expiration:
U.S. Energy Information Administration, July 27, 2026
In the second quarter of 2026 (2Q26), 24% of new light-duty vehicles sold in the U.S. were hybrid electric, battery electric, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, up from 22% in 2Q25. Between 2Q25 and 2Q26, hybrid electric vehicles continued to gain market share, reaching a record 16% of light-duty vehicle sales. The market shares of battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles decreased, according to estimates from Omdia. In 2Q26, battery electric vehicle sales were 6% of new light-duty vehicles sold, down from 7% in 2Q25; plug-in hybrid electric vehicle sales fell from 1.9% to 1.4% over the same period. Battery electric vehicles made up a record 12% of light-duty vehicle sales in September 2025, immediately before the credits expired. However, 2025 marked the first year where annual sales and market share of battery electric vehicles declined, a trend that has continued in 2026.
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V2G Could Deliver 15 Times More Value Than One-Way Managed EV Charging:
UtilityDive.com, by Brian Martucci, July 29, 2026
According to an analysis by energy modeling consultancy E3 commissioned by General Motors, the U.S. fleet of bidirectional-capable electric vehicles is growing, and regulatory reforms could help utilities unlock $7 billion in potential value. Vehicle-to-grid integration could deliver five to 15 times more value per electric vehicle in many electricity markets than one-way managed charging. The nationwide potential value of vehicle-to-grid integration will reach approximately $7 billion by 2030.
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Globally, Drivers Flock to EVs Amid Rising Gas Prices from Iran War:
EE News, by Brian Dabbs, July 30, 2026
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According to a new report from the International Energy Agency, global sales of electric cars are expected to grow 10 percent this year, hitting 29 percent of total car sales. Overall, amid rising gas prices from Iran war, more than 90 countries recorded year-on-year growth in electric car sales during the first half of 2026.
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CLIMATE CHANGE:
In First Third 2026, U.S. CO2 Emissions from Energy Use Dropped 2%:
U.S. Energy Information Administration, July 28, 2026
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According to the latest issue of EIA’s “Monthly Energy Review” report, U.S. CO2 emissions attributable to energy use were 2.09% less in the first third of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 but 1.64% higher when compared to 2024. The recent decline was due to a 11.5% drop in emissions due to coal consumption as well as declines of 1.8% and 3.0% in CO2 emissions from natural gas and biomass respectively. CO2 from oil use rose, however, by 1.2%. Oil accounted for the largest share of CO2 emissions (43.01%), followed by natural gas (37.59%), coal (13.70%), biomass (5.58%), and “other” (0.12%).
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California’s Carbon-Pricing Program Generated $36.2 Billion for Climate Initiatives:
UtilityDive.com, by Zoya Mirza, July 30, 2026
According to a new report from the California Air Resources Board, the state’s Cap-and-Invest program - a carbon-pricing mechanism that places a firm cap on major sources of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the state - has generated $36.2 billion for climate investments since its inception in 2013. About $15.5 billion from this figure has already been deployed across 122 programs to back over 600,000 projects that aim to deliver clean air, energy efficiency, affordability and emissions reductions. Moreover, 76% of the funding deployed specifically targets disadvantaged and low-income communities and households.
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More in New Poll Say Extreme Heat Impacting Their Lives:
The Hill, by Tara Suter, August 6, 2026
According to a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, more Americans are saying extreme heat is impacting multiple facets of their lives. When asked how extreme heat had impacted their electricity bills in the last year, 81 percent said it had affected the bills to a “major” or “minor” extent, while 69 percent said the same in 2024. Half of respondents said their sleep has faced a “major impact” or “minor impact” from extreme heat in the last year, while 39 percent said the same in 2024. Fifty-one percent said
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