PJM Auction Raises Bills in PA and NJ Again

PJM Capacity Auction 22% Higher Than Last Year’s

What’s new:

PJM Interconnection’s latest capacity auction cleared at its $329.17 per MW-day price cap.

This is a 22 percent jump over last year’s auction, already a record-setting price increase across the 13-state grid.

Why it matters:

Because of this auction, electricity bills in PJM’s 13-state region (which includes PA and NJ) will rise by a further 1.5-5% in 2026-27. This price hike comes even after a cap negotiated by Pennsylvania’s governor Shapiro limited further increases.

PJM blames rapid load growth from AI data centers and rising peak forecasts for the record increase.

Gas units cleared 45 percent of the auction, coal 22 percent, and nuclear 21 percent. Solar and wind together made up just 4 percent, highlighting PJM’s further refusal to connect clean energy projects to their grid.

Analysts predict the Trump administration will cite the PJM auction results to justify keeping coal plants online.

Clean energy advocates say this latest auction is proof that “outdated and expensive” resources still dominate PJM’s energy mix.

Solar Generates More Energy Than Wind for First Time

What’s new:

In May, U.S. solar power crossed a milestone: it generated more electricity than wind for the first time (38,965 GWh vs. 36,907 GWh).

Why it matters:

Through the first five months of 2025, solar’s share of U.S. generation rose to 11% of U.S. energy generation (from 6.6% a year ago) and now out-produces hydropower, plus biomass and geothermal combined.

Paired with wind, solar helped deliver more than one-fifth of U.S. electricity so far this year, surpassing coal and nuclear.

Enphase Releases Easier-to-Install Battery

What’s new:

Enphase launched its 4th-generation Enphase Energy System built around the IQ Battery 10C

The update adds an IQ Meter Collar for whole-home backup (without needing to add a sub-panel) and the IQ Combiner 6C, which also simplifies solar installations.

Why it matters:

The new IQ Battery 10C stores 10 kWh of energy and delivers more continuous power than its predecessor. It can keep more circuits running at once during an outage without a wall full of gear.

The new Meter Collar lets installers back up entire main panels (not just a few “essential” circuits) without needing to add expensive sub-panels.

The Combiner 6C puts the solar, battery, and optional EV charger connections in one tidy cabinet.

The system comes with a 15-year limited warranty from Enphase.

Installers say the redesign will cut installation time and lower homeowner costs.

Sources:

PJM capacity prices set another record with 22% jump | Utility Dive

Are You a Customer of PJM? Its Capacity Auction Will Affect Your Electricity Prices in 2026 - Inside Climate News

Enphase releases 4th-gen energy system with 7.08-kW battery, IQ meter collar

Enphase Energy Launches Next-Generation Battery System for Smarter, Simpler Home Power

US solar produced more electricity than wind in May | Solar Power News | Renewables Now

Solar power out-produced wind for the first time in May

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