Each week, we highlight key renewable energy developments to help homes and businesses better understand how electricity systems are evolving. We look at broader trends that influence how renewable energy is deployed, integrated, and scaled across modern power systems.
This week’s insights explore three important signals from across North America: strong market interest in clean energy development in British Columbia, growing momentum around energy storage policies in the United States, and the continued rise of solar as the leading source of new renewable capacity. Together, these developments illustrate how renewable energy growth is increasingly tied to system planning, flexibility, and long-term reliability.
1. British Columbia Sees Strong Response to Clean Energy Proposals
British Columbia’s recent call for clean energy proposals has received a significantly stronger response than anticipated, signaling robust interest from renewable energy developers across the province. BC Hydro received 14 proposals totaling more than 9,100 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, which is nearly double the amount originally targeted under its 2025 call for power.
The proposals include a mix of large-scale wind and solar projects capable of delivering substantial clean electricity to the provincial grid. This strong response reflects growing confidence in renewable energy as a reliable and competitive source of power, as well as the sector’s readiness to support future electricity demand driven by electrification and economic growth.
Importantly, the structure of these proposals emphasizes collaboration with First Nations partners, integrating Indigenous ownership into project development. This approach highlights how renewable energy expansion can align with inclusive participation and long-term community benefits, while also strengthening the overall electricity system.
As utilities and governments plan for future power needs, the response in British Columbia underscores the role of well-designed procurement processes in accelerating clean energy investment and capacity expansion.
2. Solar Industry Launches New Push on Energy Storage Policies
The U.S. solar industry has announced a renewed focus on advancing policies that support energy storage deployment alongside solar generation. As solar capacity continues to grow nationwide, industry leaders are increasingly emphasizing that storage is essential for maximizing the value of renewable energy.
Energy storage allows excess solar electricity generated during periods of high production to be stored and used later, particularly during evening peaks or periods of higher demand. This capability improves grid flexibility, reduces curtailment, and supports more consistent power delivery.
By advocating for clearer and more supportive policy frameworks, the solar industry aims to accelerate the deployment of both utility-scale and distributed storage systems. These efforts reflect a broader shift in how renewable energy systems are designed, moving beyond standalone generation toward integrated solutions that combine solar, storage, and smarter grid management.
As policy and market structures evolve, solar-plus-storage is expected to play a central role in enabling reliable, scalable clean energy systems across the United States.
3. Solar Surpasses Wind as Largest U.S. Renewable Capacity Source
Solar energy has overtaken wind as the largest source of new renewable generating capacity added to the U.S. power system. Recent data shows that solar accounts for the majority of renewable capacity growth, reflecting rapid deployment across both utility-scale projects and distributed installations.
Several factors are driving this shift, including declining technology costs, shorter development timelines, and the flexibility of solar deployment across a wide range of locations. As a result, solar has become a cornerstone of new electricity generation in many regions.
However, the rapid expansion of solar capacity also brings new challenges related to grid integration, variability, and peak demand management. Addressing these challenges requires complementary investments in energy storage, transmission, and grid modernization.
The continued rise of solar highlights how renewable energy growth is reshaping power systems, reinforcing the need for coordinated planning that integrates generation, storage, and infrastructure development.
Looking Ahead
Taken together, these developments point to a clear direction for electricity systems across North America. Renewable energy deployment is accelerating through strong project pipelines, evolving policy frameworks, and the growing dominance of solar capacity. At the same time, energy storage and system flexibility are becoming essential components of reliable clean power systems.
For homes and businesses, understanding these trends provides valuable context for navigating an energy landscape increasingly shaped by cleaner generation, smarter infrastructure, and long-term planning. As renewable energy continues to scale, the integration of generation, storage, and grid capabilities will define the next phase of the energy transition.
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References
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Global Renewable News – Increasing B.C.’s electricity supply with new clean energy proposals
https://globalrenewablenews.com/article/energy/category/climate-change/155/1180879/increasing-b-c-s-electricity-supply-with-new-clean-energy-proposals.html -
Axios – Solar industry launches new push on energy storage policies
https://www.axios.com/2026/01/22/solar-energy-storage-battery -
Solar Power World – Solar eclipses wind as largest U.S. renewable energy source
https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2026/01/solar-eclipses-wind-as-largest-us-renewable-energy-source/
