The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has unveiled a “Top 10” solar and storage priorities list for President-elect Trump and the 119th Congress – here’s what it wants.

Solar, storage – and Trump

SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper states: 

This is a roadmap for the Trump administration and Congress to capitalize on strong federal solar and storage policies and achieve their vision of a dominant American energy sector.

Enacting this agenda will give the United States control of the solar supply chain and ensure American communities benefit from solar and storage jobs and economic growth.

You can read them in more detail here, but the 10 priorities are:

• American energy dominance
• Eliminate dependence on China
• Surge American manufacturing
• Meet the demand challenges of data centers, AI, and crypto
• Cut red tape in the energy sector
• Regulatory reform and certainty
• Keep taxes low
• Support energy choice and energy freedom
• Bring more jobs to America’s heartland
• Protect private property rights

Electrek’s Take

It’s worth having a look at the SEIA’s priorities (it’s not long) because it’s quite clever. The SEIA hasn’t shifted its core values or stance, but it’s clear, punchy, and “speaks Republican.” (It also turns some Republican arguments against renewables on their head.)

It’s a pragmatic organization that knows it needs government support – or, at the very least, a lack of obstruction – in order for the US solar and storage industry to continue to thrive. So it deliberately doesn’t mention the Inflation Reduction Act or climate change.

It also doesn’t mention tariffs, which it has historically opposed because it raises costs for solar installation companies.

While the renewables industry had enormous policy support under the Biden administration, resulting in record-breaking growth, the SEIA is savvy enough to point out that the US solar industry grew by 128% under Trump’s first term in office, reaching 100 gigawatts (GW) of total installed capacity.

But we’re now facing a nominated pro-fossil fuel secretary of energy who thinks climate change is a hoax, so now’s the right time for the SEIA to issue a public solar and storage wish list. Don’t ask, don’t get – there’s a helluva lot at stake.

Read more: Nextracker ships the first 100% US-made solar trackers under the IRA

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