In 50 of 82 Days in 2025, Solar, Wind, & Water Surpass 100% of Electricity Demand in California for Part of Day

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As I just reported (thanks to Daniel Miller for sending in the news), solar power provided the second-most electricity in the United States for 5 hours last week. A huge portion of that is in California. There’s far more solar power installed in California than anywhere else in the USA, and it’s also quite sunny in California. Well, now we have another fun stat to share on solar power’s growth.

Mark Z. Jacobson, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University and author of seven books, including “No Miracles Needed,” shared on BlueSky last night that in 50 of the first 82 days of 2025, wind, water, and solar power combined for greater than 100% of California’s electricity demand for at least part of the day.

In fact, on that 50th day, Sunday, at their peak, wind, water, and solar power plants provided 149% of electricity demand in the state. Solar power alone provided 122%.

Not too shabbyThe 50th (of 82 days) of 2025 with > 100% Wind-Water-Solar for part of the day boasted a peak of 149% WWS and 122% solar alone as a percent of demand on California’s main grid Sunday.

— Mark Z. Jacobson (@mzjacobson.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:39:30.853Z

In short, renewable energy is soaring.

Some may see going above 100% of electricity demand as a problem. However, keep in mind that the excess electricity can be put into batteries, and then released at times when it’s more useful. You can already see batteries providing electricity for significant chunks of the day in those graphs above (dark blue).

With millions of electric vehicles on the road, there’s also enormous potential to shift demand around via smart charging programs, but those are just getting rolled out in small pilot programs for the moment. In a few years or so, I’m sure we’ll be able to see EVs soaking up much more of that electricity during peak generation, and sending some of it back in times of higher demand and lower supply.

In any case, having renewable energy reach 100% of electricity demand for part of the day in 50 out of 82 days is a huge accomplishment. And given that we’re heading into sunnier months, I am confident the ratio will get even better. Stay tuned.