1. The “One Big, Beautiful Bill.”

The biggest news of the year for the solar industry happened with the Trump Administration signing the so-called “One Big, Beautiful Bill.”

The new bill phased out tax credits that made solar cheaper for companies and families.

It pulled hope away from thousands of Americans like Jennifer McCoy, a single mother in Georgia working three jobs. She’d been approved for a solar energy system that would lower her out-of-control power bills through the Solar for All Program, only to learn that the program, and her project, were cancelled as a result.

The bill eliminated thousands of manufacturing jobs and raised electricity prices for consumers.

2. Federal Government Tries to Stop Solar Growth

The administration also used its power to block solar growth in other ways.

On his first day in office, the President shut down the government office responsible for new energy technology.

The administration has since also put high tariffs on imported solar parts, raised costs for American companies, cancelled permits for big solar farms on public land, and restricted renewables on farmland.

This prevents more farmers from following examples like Carmen Fernholz, who used a REAP grant to install a 40-kW solar array on his Minnesota farm in 2024, drastically reducing his operating costs. Those same incentives won’t be available going forward.

3. National Solar Companies File for Bankruptcy

As rules changed and costs went up, a few national solar companies ran out of money to operate.

In June 2025, Sunnova and Mosaic had to file for bankruptcy.

Later in the year, PosiGen also had to file for bankruptcy because the tax breaks they relied on to grow were phasing out.

4. Solar Booms Anyway

The 2025 data is irrefutable. Solar + Storage is the dominant form of new generation capacity in the United States.

Despite the government’s actions, solar power had a record year. Solar, wind, and batteries made up 92% of all new power added to the U.S. grid.

Tech companies needed massive amounts of electricity for data centers, and many chose to develop their own solar projects to get it quickly.

Among these companies is Meta, who partnered with Silicon Ranch to break ground on a 100-Megawatt solar and storage project that will only power their data center in South Carolina.

100 Megawatts is enough energy to power 40,000-60,000 homes at once.

5. The World Leaves the U.S. Behind

While the U.S. fought over energy laws, other countries raced ahead. China deployed more clean energy in six months than the rest of the world has in decades.

In Europe, solar power became the number one source of electricity for the first time.

The global market is moving to clean energy, with or without the United States.

Sources

The 2025 energy transition in eight charts: clean wins, dirty setbacks | Reuters

The 2025 Energy Transition in Eight Charts: Clean Wins, Dirty Setbacks: Maguire

US solar installations jump 49% in third quarter, report says | Reuters

Clean energy is still winning. These 10 charts prove… | Canary Media

Canary Media’s top 11 clean energy stories in 2025

Solar Power World’s most-read stories of 2025

American Energy Under Threat: Political Attacks Threaten Half of All Planned Power in the U.S.

In Georgia, Trump’s Cuts to Solar Projects Hit Some of His Voters

Trump’s War on Solar & Wind: A Timeline of Recent Federal Actions | Third Way

Trump’s rural energy freeze hits Midwest, GOP districts hardest

Meta data center in South Carolina to run on power from 100-MW Silicon Ranch solar project

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit exactsolar.substack.com