Our inaugural US energy transition leaderboard for Q1 2026 shows Washington, Arizona, California, Illinois and Oregon leading the way to a low-carbon future.
Despite shifting political dynamics and rolling back incentive programs, the United States clean energy transition continues to advance, propelled heavily by solar and battery storage. According to an inaugural US energy transition leaderboard, Washington, Arizona, California, Illinois, and Oregon currently pace the country toward a low-carbon future. Notably, economic forces appear to outweigh politics in driving this progress, with Republican-led states claiming 13 of the top 20 spots on the new index.
The expansion of variable renewables and storage technologies anchors this ongoing shift. Data from the Energy Information Administration indicate that wind, solar, and batteries are projected to comprise 92% of new utility-scale generation capacity in 2026, with solar and storage alone capturing 91% during the first quarter. Furthermore, May marked a historical milestone when solar output surpassed coal nationally for the first time. This momentum is partially accelerated by federal regulatory adjustments, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in 2025, which phases out certain tax credits and compels projects to commission before the end of 2027.
While certain sectors like electric vehicle sales and clean technology manufacturing experienced temporary slowdowns following earlier policy shifts, other areas are surging. During the first quarter of 2026, the country installed a record 3.3 gigawatts and 8.4 gigawatt-hours of battery storage, representing a 54% year-on-year increase. Heat pump installations are similarly expanding, while clean energy employment has outpaced the broader job market, growing 12% between 2021 and 2024 to reach 3.6 million positions.
The integration of renewables and storage is also bolstering grid reliability and mitigating price swings during periods of extreme weather and peak demand. Evidence from regions like Texas and California demonstrates that battery systems and solar assets help stabilize power supplies and temper volatility. Additionally, despite claims that clean energy drives up consumer costs, data show that most states with higher-than-average wind and solar integration actually maintain below-average household electricity prices.
Originally reported by Zero Carbon Analytics on Aug 19, 2026.
