This piece was originally published by Cipher.
By JD Dillon, Tigo Energy
Recent debates have cast support for solar energy as a partisan issue. But the benefits of solar don’t belong to one political party. They belong to homeowners looking to lower their energy bills, businesses seeking resilient power solutions and communities creating local jobs.
I’ve seen this firsthand throughout my career in the solar industry. Whether I was working with policymakers, business leaders or homeowners, the motivations for adopting solar varied — and transcended party lines.
In 2019, I successfully worked with two organizations that had diametrically opposed political backgrounds. One was an Oakland, California-based nonprofit that rose to prominence as a “Green for All Climate Champion.” The other was an ecological restoration and conservation project in Central Texas developed by the founder of Church’s Chicken. My company at the time donated solar equipment to both.
While touring the Texas project, I noted that California’s solar growth was fueled by climate-focused nonprofits and policy support, unlike in Texas, where few such policies exist. A board member replied, “Honey, that’s how we like it. The good Lord gave us this planet, and it’s our job to take care of it.”
Despite their vastly different perspectives, both organizations embraced solar for the same fundamental reason: It works.
It’s time to move past partisanship and recognize the universal benefits of clean energy.
Common goals across political lines
While the Trump administration’s recent actions have sparked worries in the industry — around supply chain disruptions, panel imports and more — the industry’s ultimate trajectory remains one of growth. There is uncertainty, but it is not enough to permanently stop the industry’s expansion.
Things are in flux; tariffs are disrupting markets and some funding freezes may cause setbacks. But solar has been thriving for years no matter which party was in the White House.
In 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act, introducing the Solar Investment Tax Credit, which jumpstarted large-scale private investment in solar by offsetting upfront costs and reducing financial risk. Under the Obama administration, the tax credit was extended and the $2,000 cap removed, which helped accelerate residential solar adoption and scale the industry nationwide by making systems more affordable for homeowners.
The industry’s momentum continued under the first Trump administration. The highest performing stock at the time in the Russell 3000 Index (which tracks the shares of the largest 3,000 publicly-traded companies in the U.S.) was Enphase Energy, a global company known for its microinverter-based solar and battery storage systems, according to reporting from Money.
And in 2022, then-President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. The legislation included historic clean energy investments aimed at accelerating solar adoption, which is driving down costs and bolstering domestic manufacturing.
Yes, we live in highly partisan times. But solar has a broad appeal that has staying power.
For conservatives or libertarians, achieving energy independence by reducing reliance on centralized grids and traditional electricity sources tends to be appealing. Improving personal autonomy in energy choices is also a powerful motivator for going solar.
Meanwhile, people on the more progressive side of the spectrum tend to be drawn to solar for its environmental benefits, seeking to reduce emissions and build a sustainable future.
And across the political spectrum, people like the prospect of reducing their energy bills over the long haul.
A call for unified action
As the solar market expands, so do the shared benefits. Solar energy projects create local jobs, stimulate economic growth, generate affordable clean energy and (yes) bridge ideological divides.
Solar energy is already generating good-paying jobs that support both small and medium-sized businesses across the country. There are more than 10,000 residential solar installation companies in the U.S., many of which are small, family-run operations employing local crews to install systems for their neighbors, church members and friends.
Clean energy was the driving force for job growth in the energy sector in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Department. Projections continue to show strong growth. These jobs aren’t just for seasoned professionals; they’re for high school students, career-changers and those looking for hands-on, outdoor work.
This progress, I believe, is built on a foundation that accommodates a variety of motivations, making it possible for anyone to support clean energy without compromising their values.
JD Dillon is chief marketing and customer experience officer at Tigo Energy. Banner photo: Solar panels on a rooftop in Florida (iStock image).
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