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Global solar capacity continues to surge, but the next growth phase is shifting toward solar-plus-storage.

Falling battery costs make hybrid projects more valuable than standalone solar by improving grid reliability and reducing exposure to negative power prices.

Corporate buyers are increasingly demanding renewable projects paired with battery storage, with firms like Brookfield saying hybrid power purchase agreements (PPAs) offer greater price stability, stronger economics, and better financing prospects.

The global solar energy boom is showing no signs of slowing down, with falling costs and ambitious clean energy targets continuing to drive rapid adoption. Last year, solar capacity additions surged 11% Y/Y to a record 647 GW worldwide, bringing the total cumulative solar capacity across the globe to 2.9 TW and cementing its position as the world's fastest-growing electricity source. Indeed, in April 2026, monthly global electricity generation from solar and wind surpassed gas-fired generation for the first time ever, a major milestone considering that natural gas provided double their combined output just five years ago. Unfortunately, the vast majority of that energy can only be fed to power grids when the sun is shining. 👀⁉️ Currently, more than 90% of all operational solar capacity is standalone and not paired with batteries, 👀😧🤬...😮‍💨

...in large part due to the fact that li-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage have traditionally been prohibitively expensive. 👀😂👀🤣🫳🏾

But things are changing quite rapidly. What developers are looking for are hybrid solar-plus-storage plants that allow them to bypass grid bottlenecks and maximize land use, while grabbing higher revenues.

Indeed, Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM), the primary investment manager of Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE:BEP), now says that corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) that pair clean energy generation with battery storage are actively displacing standalone solar and wind contracts. According to the asset manager, the shifting dynamics in the renewable energy market are being driven by the massive global buildout of clean energy, which has introduced significant market risks for large-scale energy buyers. Brookfield Asset Management is the leading alternative asset manager globally with over $1 trillion in assets under management (AUM). 👀‼️

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