SEIA Sets 700 GWh Energy Storage Target for US by 2030

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has set an ambitious target to deploy 10 million distributed energy storage systems and reach 700 GWh of total installed storage capacity in the United States by 2030.

This vision was outlined in a new whitepaper that examines the economic and energy security benefits of a robust storage sector. The whitepaper also offers policy recommendations aimed at opening markets, building financial support, fostering a domestic storage supply chain, and advancing long-duration storage technology.

Alongside the whitepaper, SEIA has released a comprehensive 50-state guide detailing energy storage policies at the state level. Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA’s president and CEO, emphasised the importance of expanding energy storage as a means to bolster the country’s energy security and resilience. As the demand for energy increases, storage can transform solar power into reliable, dispatchable energy, ensuring grid adaptability, supporting critical infrastructure, and providing consistent power across communities.

Currently, the US has 83 GWh of installed energy storage, with nearly 500,000 distributed storage installations. However, forecasts predict that the country will reach only 450 GWh of storage by 2030, falling short of the necessary capacity to meet its energy needs.

To meet the 2030 target, SEIA calls for a collaborative effort involving states, regional transmission organisations, and the federal government. Key recommendations include preserving the federal tax credit for standalone storage, ensuring fair compensation for storage grid services, reforming interconnection processes, establishing affordable retail rates for storage charging, and supporting domestic manufacturing through targeted policies and streamlined permitting.

Moreover, SEIA advocates for state-level procurement programs, increased investment in low-income communities, and further development of long-duration storage. Joan White, SEIA’s director of storage and interconnection, stressed that with the right mix of policy support and collaboration, the US can reach its storage goals, create jobs, and ensure reliable, round-the-clock power for homes and businesses nationwide.