California’s Big Shift to Solar + Storage Led by CEI
Published · 3 min read
California uses a lot of energy from the sun. By 2023, solar provided around 28% of its power—nearly 47,000 MW installed, enough for 13.9 million homes
But solar has a problem: the sun doesn’t shine at night. That’s where battery storage helps. It saves energy during the day and shares it at night.
Here are some real facts:
- Battery storage rose from under 700 MW in 2020 to over 13,000 MW now
- On June 19, batteries provided 26% of electricity during evening peak hours on California’s grid.
- In 2024, California led the US, storing more than 11 GWh of energy—powering a big city for hours.
How Storage Helps Both People and the Grid
Battery storage does more than keep the lights on at night. It makes the whole energy system better:
| Benefit | Explanation |
| Grid stability | Helps balance sudden changes in supply. |
| Reduces fossil fuel use | Replaces gas peaker plants during high demand |
| Cost savings for users | Businesses save $20,000–50,000 per year by using solar + storage |
| Cleaner air | Less pollution, especially in vulnerable communities |
Also, storage helps the state avoid blackouts during heatwaves or winter nights. This brings peace of mind to homes and businesses.
Major Projects Making a Difference
Here are some big examples:
- Darden Clean Energy Project – Built on 9,500 acres of old farmland in Fresno County. It will use 3.1 million solar panels plus Tesla Megapack batteries. It can power 850,000 homes for four hours. The $1.75 million fast-tracked permit covers construction from 2025 to 2028. This also brings 1,200 jobs and helps the local economy.
- Moss Landing – The world’s biggest battery plant. It started in 2020 and added more storage till 2023, reaching 750 MW/3,000 MWh.
- Tehachapi Energy Storage Project – The first big lithium-ion grid battery in California (8 MW/32 MWh). It ran from 2014 to 2022 and showed how useful batteries can be.
CEI’s Role in the Energy Shift
Cupertino Electric, Inc. (CEI) is a key player. They are the top solar + storage installer in the US as of 2023.
Founded in 1954, CEI has over 3,800 workers. They build projects all over California and the US.
They work on:
- Solar + storage systems
- Substations
- EV charging
- Microgrids
CEI delivers full-service projects—from designing to construction—on time and on budget.
School District Project Example
CEI built a solar + storage system for a large California school district. This helps:
- School campuses reduce bills.
- Keep lights on during outages.
- Teach students about clean energy.
These projects show that solar + storage can work well even on smaller scales.
Statewide Support and Plans
California supports clean energy through strong laws:
- By 2045, all power must be carbon-free :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
- Streamlined permits now allow storage projects in 270 days .
- Net metering lets people share solar power with the grid
Also, a Strategic Reliability Reserve adds 4,000 MW of backup, including cleaner options like demand-response and virtual plants.
What Comes Next?
Here is what to expect in the future:
- Gather more solar on rooftops and fields.
- Add more battery storage at big and small scales.
- Make smart grids with real-time energy data.
- Use new battery types like vanadium flow batteries
Experts say battery storage benefits could reach $1.6 billion per year by 2032
Final Summary
California is becoming a national model for clean energy. With solar + storage, it can:
- Cut air pollution and climate impact
- Keep the lights on during hot evenings or cold winters
- Save money for families and businesses
- Create jobs and boost local economies
CEI’s strong role shows that clean energy is doable now. For more, see cei.com.
In short: California is moving fast toward a clean future. Solar + storage is no longer a dream. It’s here—and CEI is helping lead the way.
