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California produced over half its May electricity from solar, a world record
It’s the first time a large-scale power system is known to have surpassed 50% solar for an entire month and the second significant power record set by the state recently. For the first five months of 2026, California made more electricity from solar than from natural gas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Burning natural gas has long been the dominant source of electricity in the state. This could be the first year that solar beats gas in California’s power mix.
A big part of the story is the boom in new battery storage around the state, which allows it to save solar power when it’s overabundant and use it when the sun goes down.
California was able to pass 50% solar generation in May specifically because it’s usually neither cold nor hot, meaning there’s lower demand, which allows solar to meet more of the energy needs, according to the analysis.
#local
It’s the first time a large-scale power system is known to have surpassed 50% solar for an entire month and the second significant power record set by the state recently. For the first five months of 2026, California made more electricity from solar than from natural gas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Burning natural gas has long been the dominant source of electricity in the state. This could be the first year that solar beats gas in California’s power mix.
A big part of the story is the boom in new battery storage around the state, which allows it to save solar power when it’s overabundant and use it when the sun goes down.
California was able to pass 50% solar generation in May specifically because it’s usually neither cold nor hot, meaning there’s lower demand, which allows solar to meet more of the energy needs, according to the analysis.
#local
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