U.S. clean energy and transportation investment rose 4% year-over-year to $75 billion in Q2 2026, driven by a 21% increase in sales of electric vehicles, home batteries, and heat pumps. Residential battery storage installations surpassed solar panel sales for the second consecutive quarter. Utility-scale solar and battery investments reached $19 billion, slightly down from last year but up from Q1. Meanwhile, companies like Form Energy and Antora Energy raised significant funds to develop long-duration batteries for renewable energy storage, addressing the intermittency of solar and wind power. However, proposed budget cuts to NOAA could impact climate and weather data crucial for managing environmental risks.
