California’s Solar Surge Shrinks Gas Power
The Golden State is witnessing a dramatic shift in its power generation landscape as solar energy takes center stage and natural gas falls from grace.According to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, electricity generated from solar sources has nearly doubled over the last five years, reaching 40.3 billion kilowatt-hours between January and August of this year alone. That's up from just 22 billion kilowatt-hours in 2020.The surge in solar power isn't just about more panels on rooftops; it's also a story of falling natural gas usage. The same period saw natural gas generation drop by an impressive 18%, with only 45.5 billion kilowatt-hours produced compared to 55 billion in 2020.Why the big shift? Partly due to environmental regulations, partly driven by economic...