Solar accounted for 16% of California’s electricity sales in 2021

Solar power will become the largest source of non-fossil fuel electricity sales in California in 2021, according to the latest data from the California Energy Commission.

Overall, solar accounted for 15.9 percent of the state's retail electricity sales, the highest of any renewable energy source, followed by wind (11.5 percent) and geothermal (5.8 percent). Additionally, 37.2% of the state's retail electricity in 2021 will come from RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standard) compliant sources, ahead of nuclear (10.8%) and large hydro (10.7%).

Together, non-fossil fuel sources account for about 59 percent of retail electricity sales in California. That figure has remained unchanged since 2020, despite a surge in renewables and a drought-induced drop in hydropower.

California's RPS program requires load-serving entities in the state to obtain a portion of their electricity sales from eligible renewable resources. Established in 2002, the program requires 33 percent of retail electricity sales to come from renewable sources.

Looking ahead, the RPS target will increase to 60% by 2030. Senate Bill 100 also requires RPS-eligible sources and zero-carbon resources to supply 100 percent of California’s retail electricity sales and purchased electricity serving state agencies by 2045.

The study also examined the state's battery storage capacity, which has increased by around 2,000% from 250MW in 2019 to around 5GW in 2023. Capacity is expected to reach 52GW by mid-century.