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California solar is crushing natural gas this year

Utility-scale solar generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days in the CAISO region early this year. Solar output increased 21% from 2024 levels, while natural gas generation dropped 60%. Despite these gains, the state faces criticism regarding high utility rates and power outages. To address climate goals, California regulators are also preparing for the permanent underground burial of carbon dioxide, following orders from state lawmakers issued nearly four years ago.

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What changed

California is now implementing carbon capture through the state's first carbon vault in a former oil field.

Live updates

  1. California Solar Outpaces Natural Gas Amid Reliability Concerns

    Utility-scale solar generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days in the CAISO region early this year. Solar output increased 21% from 2024 levels, while natural gas generation dropped 60%. Despite these gains, the state faces criticism regarding high utility rates and power outages. To address climate goals, California regulators are also preparing for the permanent underground burial of carbon dioxide, following orders from state lawmakers issued nearly four years ago.

    Why it matters

    The shift toward renewables aims to reduce carbon emissions but creates volatility in grid stability. Balancing intermittent solar power with baseload energy is a primary challenge for state regulators.

    What is confirmed

    • Utility-scale solar generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days in the CAISO region early this year.
    • Solar output rose 21% from 2024 levels while natural gas generation fell 60%.
    • California lawmakers ordered state regulators nearly four years ago to prepare for permanently burying carbon dioxide underground.

    Still unconfirmed

    • California's green energy transition is resulting in high power rates and frequent outages.
    • 800-volt electric vehicle architectures and bidirectional charging will provide massive financial windfalls for the national power grid.

    What to watch next

    • Regulatory rulings on liability for carbon storage leaks at the Elk Hills vault
    • CAISO reports on natural gas generation trends for the remainder of 2026
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. www.torquenews.com — Leveraging Advanced Bidirectional Charging Architectures Generates Billions for the Modern Electric Grid
    2. www.ocregister.com — California’s green energy fantasy is leaving residents in the dark
    3. apnews.com — An oil field became California’s first carbon vault. Who’s responsible if something goes wrong?
    4. www.scientificamerican.com — The Perseid meteor shower peaks tomorrow alongside the total solar eclipse—here’s how to see it
    5. consent.yahoo.com — Comstock Inc. R (GSP0.F) Q2 FY2025 earnings call transcript
    confidence 80%

  2. California Solar Outperforms Natural Gas in Early 2026

    Utility-scale solar generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days in the CAISO region early this year. Solar output rose 21% from 2024 levels while natural gas generation fell 60%. New projects include a 1.9 MWDC portfolio for Pearl Crop.

    What's confirmed:

    • Utility-scale solar power generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days in early 2026 within the CAISO region.
    • Solar output rose 21% compared to 2024 levels.
    • Natural gas generation dropped 60% over the same period.
    • Renewable America built 1.9 MWDC of solar for Pearl Crop, a family-run nut processing business.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Environmental groups are seeking a more thorough assessment of California's first carbon capture project.
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. RNG NEWS - The Coalition For Renewable Natural Gas
    2. Solar Irradiance Calculator - GHI, DNI, DHI, and GTI Calculator
    3. Solar and Geomagnetic Activity report | Reports of solar activity and ...
    4. Renewable America builds 1.9-MW solar portfolio for California nut company
    5. California’s First Carbon Capture Project Is Up and Running. Environmentalists Are Still Trying To Stop It.
    confidence 90%

  3. California Solar Generation Outpaces Natural Gas

    Utility-scale solar power generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days in early 2026 within the CAISO region. Solar output rose 21% compared to 2024 levels. Natural gas generation dropped 60% over the same period.

    What's confirmed:

    • Utility-scale solar generation in the CAISO region surpassed natural gas generation on 82% of days in early 2026.
    • Natural gas generation in California fell 60% compared to 2024 levels.
    • Solar power output increased by 21% compared to 2024.
    • Solar farms tied to California's main grid produced more electricity than gas plants on most days during the first five months of 2026.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The expansion of battery storage played a key role in the transition from natural gas to solar.
    • The California Public Utilities Commission reversed a decision to close the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in 2026.
    Sources used for this update (7)
    1. California Solar Now Beats Natural Gas: What It Means for Homeowners
    2. California solar beat natural gas on most days as battery storage surged
    3. Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    4. Massive Southwest Wind Farm is Bad News for Natural Gas
    5. Solar Energy News - Canary Media
    6. Ivanpah Solar Power Facility - Wikipedia
    7. Globally, wind and solar beat natural gas for a full month for the ...
    confidence 90%

  4. California Solar Outpaces Natural Gas in 2026

    Solar power has generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days this year. Natural gas generation has fallen 60% compared to 2024 levels. This shift follows a surge in solar and energy imports.

    What's confirmed:

    • California solar power generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days this year.
    • California gas generation is down 60% from 2024.
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. California solar surged ahead of gas in the first 5 months of 2026
    2. One Day in America
    3. Renewable Energy Update - June 19, 2026 | Newsletters | Allen Matkins
    4. @govpressoffice.gov.ca.gov on Bluesky - bsky.app
    5. Green Energy | Electrek
    6. Gas flaring by fossil fuel producers rose in 2025, says World Bank
    confidence 100%

  5. California Solar Generation Surpasses Natural Gas in 2026

    Utility-scale solar is now the primary power source in California, outperforming natural gas on most days. Natural gas generation has dropped significantly as solar installations and battery storage increase. This shift is evident in data from the first five months of the year.

    What's confirmed:

    • Utility-scale solar generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days during the first five months of 2026.
    • California natural gas generation is down 60% from 2024.
    • Solar reached 100% of total demand during some hours on 143 of the first 168 days of the year.
    • Solar generation in CAISO surpassed natural gas in the first five months of 2026.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The solar industry is growing despite Trump administration efforts to thwart renewable energy.
    • Clean generation is providing a reprieve from high gas prices.
    Sources used for this update (15)
    1. Solar generation in CAISO surpassed natural gas in the first five months of 2026
    2. California gas generation down 60% from 2024 as solar, imports surge
    3. Solar, Batteries Take the Reins in California's Energy Race
    4. With generation from natural gas down 60%, solar takes top spot in California
    5. Solar generations surpasses natural gas in California after panel installs surge
    6. Solar generations surpasses natural gas in California
    7. The Sun Eclipses Natural Gas as California's Top Power Supplier
    8. California solar is crushing natural gas this year
    9. Solar generations surpasses natural gas in California
    10. US Gas Industry Sanguine Over Solar Power's Grid Incursion
    11. California solar is crushing natural gas this year - Electrek
    12. California Solar Is Beating Gas. Batteries Are Making It Stick
    confidence 100%