US added a record 20.2 gigawatt-hours of battery capacity

Battery installations in the United States set a record in the second quarter of 2026, according to The Download, MIT Technology Review's weekday newsletter. New storage capacity of 20.2 gigawatt-hours came online during the quarter, which the newsletter says covers the daily electricity use of 600,000 homes. At that pace the country is on track to close the year at a record as well. Two forces are cited behind the increase: cheaper batteries and an urgent need for more storage as renewables are added to the grid. The newsletter adds that the boom looks different for grid-scale storage than for residential batteries.