Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2025 Reconciliation Bill, formally known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.” In a surprising 11th-hour development, Congress voted to strip many of the green energy tax credits that have underpinned the growth of the American solar industry for over a decade. While some changes to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program were expected, the extent of these cuts has sent shockwaves through our sector.
If signed into law in its current form, this bill would deal a serious blow to the future of solar energy in the United States—and, more broadly, to America’s pursuit of energy independence and global energy leadership.
As President of Solar One, I want to be clear: this is not a partisan issue. The solar industry is largely bipartisan, driven by innovation, private investment, and a shared commitment to supporting the nation’s power grid with clean, cost-effective energy. In 2024 alone, solar added an impressive 56 gigawatts (gW) of new generation capacity in the U.S., while natural gas added just 7 gW between 2024 and 2025 combined. Despite this performance, the current political winds seem to favor natural gas—an energy source already plagued by rising costs and logistical bottlenecks.
The new bill mandates that all future solar projects must begin construction within 60 days of the legislation’s passage to qualify for existing credits. That’s an unreasonable ask for an industry built on thoughtful planning, permitting, and infrastructure development. This deadline risks stalling thousands of projects and jeopardizing billions in private capital ready to flow into clean energy.
We at Solar One understand that federal incentives may need to evolve. But we are calling for a measured approach—a structured sunsetting of tax credits over several years, rather than an abrupt cutoff.
This transition would provide the industry with the runway needed to adapt while protecting the jobs, investments, and grid contributions that solar energy delivers every day.
It’s also worth remembering that commercial and industrial solar projects align with President Trump’s promise to “keep tax credits for corporations in America.” In recent years, leading solar manufacturers have opened plants across the U.S., creating thousands of high-quality American jobs. Gutting the ITC threatens to undo that progress.
I urge lawmakers in both the House and Senate to reconsider the broader economic and energy ramifications of this bill. American solar energy is not a political talking point—it’s a vital component of our nation’s energy strategy and economic future.
Let’s not sacrifice progress for politics.
Terry Miller
President | Solar One