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An analysis based on ERCOT data and Heatmap News coverage indicates that the growth of solar power and battery storage helped Texas get through the hot summer of 2026 without issuing calls for conservation. The article also highlights the expansion of virtual power plant models and Octopus Energy’s investment in Uplight to support distributed energy resource management.
The article draws on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration to present the accelerating growth of solar power, electricity storage, and wind energy in recent years, despite federal policies supporting fossil fuels. Electricity generation from renewable sources grew 10.9% year over year in the first half of 2026.