Krista Simicich
Digital Editor
As the renewable energy sector stands at a pivotal juncture, the upcoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump has introduced a degree of uncertainty to our industry.
Yet, as we begin to navigate this transitional moment, there is ample reason for measured optimism. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), hailed as one of the most significant legislative achievements for renewable energy in U.S. history, has unleashed unprecedented investment, job creation, and innovation across the country.
The past two years have underscored the IRA’s influence. The United States has surged to more than 40 GW of annual solar buildout—nearly double the installations from just two years prior. This monumental legislation has revitalized local economies, strengthened supply chains, and created tens of thousands of new jobs for Americans.
Importantly, key provisions of the IRA, such as the transferability of tax credits and energy community adders, have already taken root, making them challenging to undo without Congressional action. Even in the face of potential adjustments, the consensus remains clear: the IRA’s cornerstone policies have laid a foundation too impactful to disregard.
While some IRA provisions will likely face added scrutiny or delay—such as guidance around the Domestic Content adder—the law’s bipartisan appeal and tangible benefits position it as a durable framework for continued progress.
There is also potential for the incoming administration to align renewable energy priorities with its broader policy objectives. By expediting permitting processes, streamlining reviews for IRA-backed projects, and promoting workforce development in skilled trades, the incoming administration could strengthen American manufacturing, enhance energy security, and expand the blue-collar workforce.
While the road ahead may be uncertain, it is also brimming with opportunity. Working together to protect the hard-fought gains of the past two years, we can usher in a future of shared prosperity and sustainability for America’s renewable energy industry.
We’ve gathered expert opinions from leaders across business, policy, and technology on the future of the IRA and renewable energy in the U.S. Use the slider to learn more and check back soon as more insights will be added.
"The impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on the solar industry is undeniable. Over the past couple of years, the US has surpassed 40 GW of annual buildout (almost double the 2022 installations) and increased its manufacturing capacity by 400%, with more to come in the following years.
The industry consensus is that while it is improbable for the IRA to be fully repealed, some elements could be modified or removed. Elements that have been finalized, such as the transferability of tax credits and energy community adders, are likely to remain the same, as any modifications require Congressional Review.
Other components, such as preliminary guidance for the Domestic Content adder, could be modified from the initial guidance or be indefinitely delayed. Still, as the IRA has bipartisan support and has promoted investment, job creation, and the renaissance of the US solar manufacturing base, we remain cautiously optimistic that the key elements will remain and promote renewable energy development in the United States."
Sylvia Leyva Martinez
Principal Analyst, North America Utility-Scale Solar, Wood Mackenzie
"Renewable energy providers may be expecting the new administration to redefine what is and is not “green” in terms of dollars, rather than emissions, even if IRA tax incentives survive. In such an environment, providers must be able to demonstrate a clear and measurable business case for their product apart from sustainability considerations.
We are already seeing more willingness from renewable providers to co-locate with thermal generation to provide solutions that meet the reliability and resiliency needs of customers and the grid. Commercially available and proven power solutions that are privately funded will certainly have an advantage over projects that rely on grants and federal funding under the new administration."
Joel Yu
Senior Vice President of Policy and External Affairs, Enchanted Rock
"Renewable energy giant NextEra Energy told analysts last week that it thinks the IRA will mostly survive because green jobs are politically popular. That’s the hope of 18 Republican House members who wrote a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson in August stressing 'a full repeal would create a worst-case scenario where we would have spent billions of taxpayer dollars and received next to nothing in return.'"
Christopher Helman
Forbes Staff Writer
"We’re optimistic about the future of the IRA. Huge investments and green job growth in red states and districts, a thin congressional majority, and a long list of bigger policy priorities make fighting to curtail the IRA a losing proposition for the new administration. Indeed, 18 Republican Congresspeople already asked Speaker Johnson to preserve key elements of the IRA.
That said, President-Elect Trump has an opportunity to align the IRA with his policy objectives while achieving bipartisan support. He could push to expedite permitting and cut reviews of IRA-backed projects. He could leverage the IRA to grow U.S. manufacturing capacity. He could promote blue-collar job training to provide the electricians, welders, and skilled tradespeople the sustainability industry (and the economy at large) needs. If we frame our industry’s priorities as critical to economic growth, we could find the White House ready to help achieve our policy objectives."
Neal Urwitz (Senior Vice President) and Kimberly Setliff Barnes (Chief of Staff)
Antenna Group
"We’re at the advent of an economic revolution the likes of which we haven’t seen in this country in generations. If it gets rolled back or reduced, it’s not liberals that’ll be hurt, but working people in rural places."
Source: "The Clean Energy Boom in Republican Districts" by Austyn Gaffney
Bob Keefe
Executive Director of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2)
