From Coast to Coast: State Wins Will Power the Solar Movement

By: Sachu Constantine, Executive Director at Vote Solar

With a new administration officially in the White House, the future of solar energy faces a critical moment. This coming year, we’re likely to come up against fierce new challenges from President-elect Trump, who spoke clearly about his intent to bolster fossil fuels and repeal investments in clean energy. He has continuously threatened to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which we know is benefiting communities across the country through job growth and economic investment in clean energy.

Despite these potential setbacks, opportunities for progress remain ample, as states hold the most important levers for our energy transition. Vote Solar is built to pursue solar progress at the state and local level where many clean energy champions remain in power across the nation. This strategy has given us a winning record in both red and blue states, no matter who controls Congress and the White House.

Resilient Progress During Challenging Times

Core to our winning approach are two important facts. One, local solar solutions bridge the partisan divide and energize diverse communities by providing tangible benefits to everyone. In addition, state leaders are closer to their constituents and more likely to be held accountable for the day-to-day changes in their lives. When electric bills go up, it’s state legislators and the Governor who feel the public outcry most urgently — which often means finding reasonable compromises to solve issues rather than relying purely on rhetoric.

Additionally, at the state level, regulatory bodies are required by law to regulate investor-owned utilities for the public good and account for the facts. While politics may have a heavy sway on their decisions, this legal responsibility creates leverage for clean energy advocates.

We made progress toward a clean energy future during the previous Trump term, and we know we can do it again. Vote Solar’s state and local advocacy achieved remarkable solar energy milestones the first time Trump was in office.

Legislative Breakthroughs:

In 2017, a suite of 11 clean energy bills, including the restoration of net metering, reinvigorated Nevada’s solar economy.
South Carolina’s Energy Freedom Act removed caps on rooftop solar in 2019, expanding opportunities for large-scale renewables, and fostering local jobs—a bipartisan victory.

Ambitious State Commitments:

In 2018, Califiornia committed to 100% clean power by 2045, adding 16.2 GW of solar capacity and dedicating over 100,000 systems to low-income households.
New York’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act set a goal of 100% clean electricity by 2040, with investments in environmental justice communities and the creation of 11,000 solar jobs.

Regulatory Wins:

Thanks to Vote Solar regulatory action in Montana, The Public Service Commission adopted fair pricing for solar customers, ensuring they earn the retail market value for electricity supplied to the grid.
In Illinois, we stopped attempts to eliminate net metering, preserving fair compensation for solar customers.

From advancing ambitious solar energy legislation to protecting consumer rights, state-level action has driven the clean energy movement forward. These wins reflect the power of community-driven advocacy and bipartisan collaboration, offering a blueprint for the work ahead.

Looking Ahead: States Lead the Way

Solar power just makes sense, no matter what federal officials might do or say. It provides immense benefits to communities. Our mission is to accelerate that adoption and ensure the benefits are equitably shared by the communities who have suffered the most from fossil fuel pollution and the climate crisis.

The need for bold, state-level leadership has never been greater. Frontline communities, particularly Indigenous communities and communities of color, continue to bear the brunt of the fossil fuel industry’s harms. Our focus remains on advancing solar policies that prioritize equity and inclusion. By working locally, we can drive forward the solar energy transition, demonstrating tangible benefits such as job creation, economic resilience, and affordable, clean power for all.

State leaders, advocates, and communities have proven that progress is possible even in the most challenging political climates. Together, we can ensure that the momentum for solar energy doesn’t stall. Let’s continue building a sustainable and equitable future, powered by the sun—one state at a time.