National Public Radio is on the case
People are rushing to install solar panels before Trump becomes president
The solar power industry is growing fast, accounting for more than half of all new electricity on the grid last year. But soon President-elect Donald Trump and fellow Republicans in Congress may try to reduce or eliminate government incentives that have driven much of that growth.
That has potential customers who want to install solar on their homes worried about the future of an existing 30% federal tax credit. Some are responding by rushing to install solar now, before the credit can be eliminated. Others are deciding solar is too risky with an incoming Trump administration.
Solar installers face even more uncertainty with threats of increased tariffs that could make panels and other equipment more expensive. The industry’s main trade group, Solar Energy Industries Association, has released a policy agenda that echoes some of Trump’s language, such as “energy dominance.” But it’s not clear that will sway a president who has been openly hostile to renewable energy.
Trump has suggested tariffs as high as 60% on imports from China and 20% on all other goods coming into the U.S. With the support of a Republican-controlled Congress, Trump also could rescind programs passed as part of President Biden’s climate agenda, where allocated money has not already been spent.
The median income for those who install solar is $117K, which, in fairness, is down from $140K in 2010, which has more to do with China dumping cheap solar in the US as well as all the government subsidies and tax breaks than anything else. Regardless, most average middle and working class folks are not getting them. If you try and find the average cost of solar panels for a house, well, good luck. I’m seeing numbers from a bit over $9K to $30K and everything in between. Those are not costs that the average American can dump money on, and, how long does it take to hit that number and start saving money?
Regardless, will Trump and GOP actually do anything? Probably not. They’d have a tough time wacking those subsidies and such if they tried. The Democrats would filibuster to stop it. They aren’t the hill to die on. Especially since there are actually a lot of Republicans who have off grid houses and places in the woods and on lakes and stuff who install solar.
And, just to be clear, I am in favor of the tax rebates and such.
