Trump Administration: What Does It Mean for Commercial Solar and Net-Zero Projects?

In my 17 years developing and deploying clean energy projects, I’ve witnessed many cycles of boom and bust, as well as three different presidents with vastly different approaches to climate change and clean energy incentives. Tariffs on equipment from Asia came and went. Yet through all these shifts, one thing has become clear: the resilience of clean energy. The world needs it, and so does the United States.

I firmly believe that clean energy is here to stay. Although a Trump administration is likely to roll back some of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) initiatives and cut funding for environmental agencies, and despite his vocal support for tariffs on Chinese-manufactured equipment (potentially extending to other Asian countries), I see strong reasons why businesses will continue to implement clean energy projects and pursue net-zero goals.

A significant reason is that, even if federal policies pull back, many states are stepping up. Sustainability leaders like California are already passing legislation to ensure state-level clean energy and fuel efficiency targets remain intact.

While the Trump administration might publicly oppose these initiatives, it will have a hard time halting the momentum of clean energy. As in the past 17 years, I feel hopeful that clean energy will continue to prove its importance and remain the way of the future.