PODCAST: Batteries vs fossil fuels, US Secretary of Energy’s big challenges, SPACs and storage

LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email
Inside Alamitos, a battery project recently inaugurated in California that uses 100MW / 400MWh of energy storage to reduce the local area’s reliance on burning natural gas for electricity. Image: AES Corporation.

The new episode of the Solar Media Podcast, sponsored by Honeywell, is now available stream, as we take a look at US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm’s in-tray and explain why solar module prices could be set for a short-term price increase.

We also reflect on last month’s energy crisis in Texas, brought about by a winter storm, and detail what the power market needs to learn about weather events and how to plan for them more appropriately.

There’s also discussion of the SPACs phenomenon and what it could mean for energy storage, we talk about how batteries and renewables are replacing fossil fuels – but not fast enough, the storage investment tax credit (ITC) and much, much more.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Alternatively, you can subscribe and listen to the podcast on the Solar Media Editor’s Channel, which is now on all popular audio channels, including;

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts

This episode of the Solar Media Podcast is brought to you by Honeywell.

3 November 2026
Málaga, Spain
Understanding technology and supplier selection for Europe’s utility-scale PV market in 2027. PV ModuleTech Europe 2026 is a two-day conference that tackles these challenges directly, with an agenda that addresses all aspects of PV module, inverter and battery supplier selection; product availability, technology offerings, supply chain traceability, quality assurance, factory auditing, system reliability, and supplier bankability.

Read Next

October 9, 2026
South Africa’s government has put battery storage and power-to-gas technologies at the heart of the national long-term electricity supply and demand strategy.
October 9, 2026
South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) has unveiled its KRW1,000 trillion (US$747 billion) Korean Green Transformation (K-GX) industrial strategy.
October 8, 2026
AI data centres have energy and power requirements demanding enough to potentially stretch lithium-ion beyond its versatile limits, writes Intertek CEA market intelligence consultant Aaron Marks.
October 7, 2026
US energy holding company and project developer-owner NextEra Energy has suspended operations at two energy storage facilities in Long Island, New York, US.
October 6, 2026
IPP Linea Energy has closed a debt financing and preferred equity commitment for its 250MW/500MWh Mesa View energy storage project in Upton County, Texas, US.