Key U.S. States Leading Clean Energy Growth

If you want to see where the future of energy is being built, don’t just look at Washington—look at places like Texas and Wyoming. Texas has quietly become the epicenter of the advanced energy economy in the U.S. A few stats that stand out: – Wind: Texas generated nearly 28% of all U.S. wind power in 2023 (Source: EIA) – Solar: Over 22 GW of capacity—up 800% in just a few years (ACP) – Battery storage: 6.4 new GW online in 2024—a 5,500% increase (EIA) This is what happens when you combine real demand, a deregulated market, and a culture that values speed over red tape. But it’s not just Texas. Wyoming is carving its own path forward—one that’s equally ambitious, but different in approach. – Wind now makes up 21% of the state’s power, more than doubling since 2019 (EIA) – A 3,550 MW wind project is underway, one of the largest in the world  – And most notably, Wyoming is becoming ground zero for next-gen nuclear — TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates and built in partnership with the US Dept of Energy, is launching its first Natrium reactor there, pairing advanced fission with on-demand energy storage This isn’t just about energy transition. It’s about energy competitiveness. Both states are showing that with the right policy environment and public-private collaboration, you can move faster, scale bigger, and build systems that actually reflect the complexity of a 21st-century energy economy. The future of advanced energy in the U.S. isn’t coming from a single model. It’s coming from state-level innovation—tailored to local strengths and national ambition.

Don’t mess with Texas ... solar, or market economics! In February 2026, Texas took the crown as the #1 state for utility-scale solar: Solar went from 2% in 2020 to out-generating coal They said it couldn't be done in the land of oil and gas. They were (of course) wrong 1. Texas solar exploded to 40GW+, or 14%+ of total power, pushing coal into the rearview mirror in the ERCOT mix (14% vs 13%) 2. Texas now leads the US in utility-scale solar capacity, moving past California's long-standing reign 3. Texas now also has over 15 GW of operational battery storage which acts as the shock absorber for solar when the sun sets, capturing midday solar surplus and discharging during the critical 7-9 PM evening ramp. Texas is taming the Duck Curve in real-time 4. During the record-breaking Summer of 2025, ERCOT issued zero conservation alerts. Why? Solar and batteries performed with nearly 99% availability during peak demand hours and kept the grid stable while traditional plants struggled with thermal stress 5. Texas has at least $30b in planned solar & storage investment through 2027: Decoupling growth from emissions while keeping a lid on prices. The sun is now the most reliable hedge against price volatility in the Lone Star State 6. Businesses: Rates significantly lower than the national average. Businesses that can shift their heavy operations to solar hours (midday) seeing big wins 7 . Citizens: Prices flat. Solar and BESS prevented catastrophic price spikes during the record-breaking heat of 2025 Market economics, not mandates, drove this shift - which is accelerating In Texas, if it’s cheaper, it wins. It helps that it's also better, healthier and more reliable.

Good News, Thursday. Illinois just made a big move on clean energy. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act into law, and it’s one of the more comprehensive state-level energy bills we’ve seen in a while. The goal is straightforward: lower electricity costs while continuing to scale clean energy. This legislation builds on Illinois’ earlier clean energy efforts. Since the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act passed in 2021, the state has already supported more than 6 GW of renewable energy, with another 6 GW under development. The difference now is a sharper focus on affordability and grid reliability, not just adding new generation. With the signing of CRGA, Illinois is explicitly targeting rising electricity costs while expanding cleaner, more flexible resources. The state projects that the law’s provisions could save energy customers an estimated $13.4 billion over the next two decades, underscoring affordability as a central aim of the legislation. A few parts of the bill stand out to me: - A plan to procure 3 GW of grid-scale battery storage by 2030, which can help smooth peaks, manage congestion, and lower system costs. - New virtual power plant programs, allowing homes with solar, batteries, and EVs to support the grid and get paid for it. - An expanded Integrated Resource Planning process aimed at finding the lowest-cost ways to keep energy reliable as demand grows. - Stronger support for community solar, including raising project size limits to 10 MW. Illinois already ranks among the top states for community solar, and this should push that even further. The bill also includes a Solar Bill of Rights, ensuring customers served by municipal and cooperative utilities can install rooftop solar, and extends clean energy siting reforms for storage projects. All of this comes at a time when electricity demand is rising, grids are under pressure, and many states are struggling to balance reliability, cost, and climate goals. Illinois is showing that those priorities don’t have to be in conflict. Looking ahead, the Solar Energy Industries Association projects 14.6 GW of new solar in Illinois over the next five years, on top of the roughly 6.5 GW already installed. Pairing that growth with storage, VPPs, and planning for affordability feels like the right direction. State policy can’t solve everything, but this is a strong example of how thoughtful design can support cleaner power, lower costs, and a more resilient grid at the same time. Curious to see how other states respond, and whether we start to see more legislation that treats storage, distributed resources, and affordability as core parts of the energy system, not side programs.

Why America's Biggest Oil State Is Racing to Build Solar Farms Imagine Texas in summer: Air conditioners running full blast, millions of homes drawing power, and energy demand hitting new records. A few years ago, this would have meant emergency alerts asking people to turn off their lights. But something remarkable just happened. This summer, despite record-breaking energy demand, Texas kept the lights on with ease. The surprising reason? The oil capital of America is increasingly powering itself with sunshine. Let's break down this unexpected transformation: 1. The Scale of Change - Texas now produces more solar power than California - Battery storage is set to double this year alone - Even oil companies are switching their drilling operations to electric power - The state could need twice as much electricity by 2030 2. What Made This Work - Solar farms provided massive power during peak heat - New battery systems bridged the evening gap when sun sets - Free market rules made renewable projects easier to build - Private companies rushed to invest without government mandates 3. Why It Matters Beyond Texas - Other states facing similar energy challenges - Data centers and new factories driving huge demand everywhere - Shows renewables can handle extreme weather reliably - Proves clean energy can thrive in traditional oil country Here's what makes this fascinating: The same state that made its fortune on oil is now leading America's renewable energy boom—not because of climate concerns, but because it makes economic sense. When the market speaks this clearly, everyone listens. Question for energy professionals: What lessons can other states learn from Texas's rapid renewable energy expansion? What surprised you most about their success? #EnergyTransition #Infrastructure #Innovation #BusinessStrategy

New U.S. Energy Information Administration data 11 U.S. states now meet the equivalent of 51.3-120.3% of their annual-average electricity demand (Q3-2024 to Q2-2025) with just WindWaterSolar, with 10 of those states having retail electricity prices far below the U.S. average. South Dakota met 120.4% of demand; price 3.5 c/kWh below US average Montana: 95.3% of demand; price; price 4.1 c/kWh below avg Iowa: 78.5%; price 3.2 c/kWh below avg Washington State: 76.2% Maine: 69.6% Kansas: 69.4% Wyoming: 67.7% Oregon: 62.8% New Mexico: 62.1% North Dakota: 56.4% Oklahoma: 51.3% 7 of the states dominated by wind; 4 by hydro U.S. as a whole: 24.9% WWS 5.7% hydro 10.7% wind 0.36% geothermal 6.0% utility PV 2.18% BTM PV https://lnkd.in/gAmwCSnC