Proposed Legislation Threatens U.S. Solar Industry and Jobs, SEIA Warns

Legislation recently passed by the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and advanced by the House Budget Committee could put nearly 300 solar and energy storage factories at risk and eliminate 145,000 gigawatt-hours of solar generation by 2030—equivalent to Pennsylvania’s annual electricity use, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

A new SEIA analysis warns the bill could lead to the loss of nearly 300,000 current and future American clean energy jobs, including 86,000 in solar manufacturing. Notably, about 80% of the threatened jobs and factories are located in states that supported President Trump in the 2024 US presidential election.

SEIA President and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper urged lawmakers to amend the bill, warning it could severely limit America's energy capacity. “If this proposal becomes law, nearly 300 U.S. factories—mostly in red states—could close or never open,” she said. “We won’t have the energy needed to power America’s AI and data center growth.”

The legislation could result in an immediate drop in solar and storage investments, potentially wiping out $220 billion by 2030. With the U.S. needing to add 206.5 GW of new energy capacity by then—73% expected from solar—the bill could lead to an energy shortfall, higher utility costs, and slower economic growth.

The proposal also seeks to repeal the Section 25D residential tax credit, which helps middle-class families afford solar energy.

SEIA is calling on the Senate to revise the bill to protect U.S. energy security, jobs, and consumer access to solar power.

Source: seia.org