Federal, State & Regulatory Policy
Regardless of technology or size, every facet of the solar industry is affected by local, state and federal policy. SEIA is engaged with policymakers at the regulatory and legislative levels in Washington, D.C. and across the country to establish supportive policy frameworks that allow solar to compete in the marketplace and offer cost-competitive, reliable energy to consumers.
Rooftop Solar
Electricity produced at or near the point where it is used is called Distributed Generation (DG). Distributed solar energy can be located on rooftops or ground-mounted, and is typically connected to the local utility distribution grid. There are a wide variety of policies at the state and local level that impact distributed solar and its customers.
Utility-Scale Solar
Utility-scale solar has been generating reliable, clean energy with a stable fuel price for more than two decades. By enacting federal and state-level policies to accelerate the growth of utility-scale solar, we can create jobs nationwide and quickly diversify America’s energy portfolio.
Community Solar
Community solar has become a critical tool for bridging the gap between those who can and can't access local, affordable, clean energy.
Regulatory Policy
With the rapid growth in solar energy deployment necessary to decarbonize our economy, the industry faces new and quickly evolving needs and challenges across a wide variety of federal regulatory agencies
Tax Policy
The U.S. has a long history of supporting energy infrastructure through the U.S. tax code. The market certainty provided by the long-term solar investment tax credit (ITC) has supported private investment in manufacturing and project construction, a vital part in meeting our nation's energy policy goals, driving cost-cutting innovation and job growth.
Additional Policy Mechanisms
Federal DOE Appropriations
Learn MorePerformance-Based Incentives
Learn MoreReverse Auction Mechanism
Learn MoreWholesale Distributed Generation
Learn MoreRelated News
Massachusetts Relaxes Net Metering Caps for Residential Solar in Major Climate Bill
Yesterday Governor Baker signed H5060, An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind, into law. This wide-sweeping climate legislation relaxes the net metering cap for residential solar projects up to 25 kilowatts, establishes incentives for pollinator-friendly community solar and commercial and industrial projects and creates a new council that will proactively work to improve the state’s transmission and distribution grid planning.
Advocates Celebrate Wins for Clean Energy in Georgia, Urge Action on Rooftop Solar
ATLANTA – In a victory for Georgia consumers and the clean energy economy, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to approve a solar resource plan that should result in an increase in Georgia Power’s solar energy procurement by 6 to 9 gigawatts through 2035 and add 500 megawatts of battery storage to the energy grid.
Mississippi Adopts New Net Metering Rules, Takes Step Toward Equitable Growth of Residential Solar Market
JACKSON, MS and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to adopt its updated Net Metering and Interconnection Rules. The new rules expand the state’s net metering program by raising the participation cap for rooftop solar and prioritizing solar adoption for low-to-moderate income (LMI) customers, among other steps.