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Pro-Solar Governor Wins in New Jersey
What’s new
New Jersey just elected Mikie Sherrill as governor. During her campaign, she promised to use clean energy to lower bills and strengthen the grid.
Her plan promises to use executive orders to freeze utility rates while New Jersey builds more solar and battery storage, with faster grid upgrades to handle growing demand.
Why it matters
A pro-solar governor in Trenton means more rooftop and community solar, more storage to keep lights on during peaks, and steadier bills as cheap sun power replaces pricier fuels.
New Jersey faces rising electricity needs and an aging grid. Sherrill has signaled she’ll work with the legislature and regional partners to speed up permitting and avoid spending on outdated solutions.
Virginia’s Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger also won on a clean-energy message, promising lower bills, a stronger grid, and support for offshore wind after recent federal blockades.
In Georgia, voters who endured six rate hikes in recent years ousted incumbent Public Service Commissioners and elected Peter Hubbard and Dr. Alicia Johnson. Both campaigned on lowering bills and expanding clean energy, signaling a pro-solar shift in the commission that oversees Georgia Power and grid planning. It’s the first time since 2006 that incumbents have lost PSC races.
These results show that leaders who tie clean power to affordability and reliability are being rewarded. Voters frustrated with high bills are backing leaders who promise to add local solar and storage.
The U.S. Now Has a Domestic Solar Supply Chain
What’s new
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) says the U.S. now has a full domestic solar supply chain. The last missing link (ingots and wafers for solar cells) just came online with Corning’s new Michigan factory.
Why it matters
A made-in-America solar chain cuts supply risk, shortens lead times, and keeps more jobs and investment at home. It also protects from tariffs and trade shocks, and helps stabilize costs as demand climbs.
But SEIA warns that momentum isn’t guaranteed. Policy whiplash and trade crackdowns could slow down new factories and raise costs. Clear policy is key to keeping this manufacturing surge on track.
Half of All Planned U.S. Power At Risk
What’s new
SEIA also warns that politics are putting half of all planned new U.S. power at risk through 2030, nearly 116 GW across nearly 500 solar and storage projects.
Their review of EIA data flags 73 GW of solar and 43 GW of storage that still lack full permits and could be targeted by new federal reviews.
Why it matters
These projects span 44 states, with enough planned capacity to power ~16 million homes. SEIA says a growing federal permitting maze is stalling projects even on private land, after they’ve cleared local zoning and environmental steps.
Power demand is spiking from AI, data centers, and new factories. If we don’t continue to deploy solar power fast, customers will continue to face higher energy prices as our grid continues to age.
SEIA encourages anyone who wants to help ensure better solar regulation to go to SolarPowersAmerica.org to contact representatives and sign petitions.
Sources:
Clean energy candidates win Virginia and New Jersey elections
Green Groups’ Election Takeaway: Focus on Trump Energy Agenda Costs - Inside Climate News
The Entire Solar Supply Chain Has Now Been Reshored in The US
US has onshored full solar supply chain: SEIA | Utility Dive
American Energy Under Threat: Political Attacks Threaten Half of All Planned Power in the U.S.
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
View all episodes
By Exact SolarWhat’s new
New Jersey just elected Mikie Sherrill as governor. During her campaign, she promised to use clean energy to lower bills and strengthen the grid.
Her plan promises to use executive orders to freeze utility rates while New Jersey builds more solar and battery storage, with faster grid upgrades to handle growing demand.
Why it matters
A pro-solar governor in Trenton means more rooftop and community solar, more storage to keep lights on during peaks, and steadier bills as cheap sun power replaces pricier fuels.
New Jersey faces rising electricity needs and an aging grid. Sherrill has signaled she’ll work with the legislature and regional partners to speed up permitting and avoid spending on outdated solutions.
Virginia’s Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger also won on a clean-energy message, promising lower bills, a stronger grid, and support for offshore wind after recent federal blockades.
In Georgia, voters who endured six rate hikes in recent years ousted incumbent Public Service Commissioners and elected Peter Hubbard and Dr. Alicia Johnson. Both campaigned on lowering bills and expanding clean energy, signaling a pro-solar shift in the commission that oversees Georgia Power and grid planning. It’s the first time since 2006 that incumbents have lost PSC races.
These results show that leaders who tie clean power to affordability and reliability are being rewarded. Voters frustrated with high bills are backing leaders who promise to add local solar and storage.
The U.S. Now Has a Domestic Solar Supply Chain
What’s new
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) says the U.S. now has a full domestic solar supply chain. The last missing link (ingots and wafers for solar cells) just came online with Corning’s new Michigan factory.
Why it matters
A made-in-America solar chain cuts supply risk, shortens lead times, and keeps more jobs and investment at home. It also protects from tariffs and trade shocks, and helps stabilize costs as demand climbs.
But SEIA warns that momentum isn’t guaranteed. Policy whiplash and trade crackdowns could slow down new factories and raise costs. Clear policy is key to keeping this manufacturing surge on track.
Half of All Planned U.S. Power At Risk
What’s new
SEIA also warns that politics are putting half of all planned new U.S. power at risk through 2030, nearly 116 GW across nearly 500 solar and storage projects.
Their review of EIA data flags 73 GW of solar and 43 GW of storage that still lack full permits and could be targeted by new federal reviews.
Why it matters
These projects span 44 states, with enough planned capacity to power ~16 million homes. SEIA says a growing federal permitting maze is stalling projects even on private land, after they’ve cleared local zoning and environmental steps.
Power demand is spiking from AI, data centers, and new factories. If we don’t continue to deploy solar power fast, customers will continue to face higher energy prices as our grid continues to age.
SEIA encourages anyone who wants to help ensure better solar regulation to go to SolarPowersAmerica.org to contact representatives and sign petitions.
Sources:
Clean energy candidates win Virginia and New Jersey elections
Green Groups’ Election Takeaway: Focus on Trump Energy Agenda Costs - Inside Climate News
The Entire Solar Supply Chain Has Now Been Reshored in The US
US has onshored full solar supply chain: SEIA | Utility Dive
American Energy Under Threat: Political Attacks Threaten Half of All Planned Power in the U.S.
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