Investments in Co-Located Solar-Plus-Storage Reach $25 Billion in H1

Global investment in renewable energy reached $327.5 billion (€281 billion) in the first half of 2026, according to BloombergNEF (BNEF). While the figure was broadly unchanged from the previous six months, it remained 21% below the record investment level recorded in the second half of 2024.

Investment is increasingly shifting toward renewable energy assets that offer greater flexibility in managing revenues. Financing for standalone utility-scale solar declined 20% year on year to $75.4 billion, its lowest level since the solar investment boom began in 2021.

Against this backdrop, co-located solar-plus-storage projects attracted a record $25 billion (€21.5 billion) in the first half of 2026. Investment was nearly double the amount recorded in H2 2025 and three times the level seen in H1 2025, with the United States and Australia leading the segment.

The United States recorded a 54% year-on-year increase in renewable energy investment, supported by tax credit deadlines and rising electricity demand, particularly from data centers. Solar investment rose 41% to a record $45.8 billion, while wind investment reached $13.8 billion.

Globally, wind investment totaled $92.3 billion, down 27% year on year. Offshore wind investment fell sharply by 72%, while onshore wind declined by a more moderate 4% to $80.7 billion. Europe bucked the global trend, with Germany, Romania and Serbia recording record onshore wind investment following recent auctions.

BNEF expects new renewable energy installations in 2026 to fall below 2025 levels, marking the first year-on-year decline in more than a decade, before growth resumes in 2027.