Every election cycle, questions come up about what the results might mean for solar energy. Will the tax credit survive? Will policies change? Should I wait to see what happens?
These are reasonable questions, but the answer is consistent regardless of which party holds power: solar is a sound financial and personal decision that transcends politics. Here is why.
Solar Is Bipartisan in Practice
Despite the perception that solar is a “left-leaning” issue, the reality on the ground tells a different story:
- The top solar-producing states include Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia, all states with Republican-led governments during the periods of their greatest solar growth.
- Rural and conservative communities are among the fastest-growing solar markets in the country, driven by the practical financial benefits for farmers, ranchers, and rural homeowners.
- The solar industry employs over 250,000 Americans across all 50 states, creating jobs in manufacturing, installation, sales, and engineering, in red states and blue states alike.
- Military installations have invested heavily in solar for energy security and cost reduction, viewing energy independence as a national security priority.
- The 30% federal solar tax credit has been extended and expanded under both Republican and Democratic administrations because the economic benefits are clear and broadly supported.
When you look past the political rhetoric, solar energy has support across the political spectrum because it delivers on values that both sides share: lower costs for families, local jobs, energy independence, and property rights.
The Conservative Case for Solar
For homeowners who lean right politically, solar aligns with several core conservative principles:
- Property rights and individual freedom. You have the right to produce your own electricity on your own property. Solar reduces your dependence on utility monopolies and government-regulated energy markets.
- Free market competition. Solar introduces competition into a market traditionally dominated by regulated monopolies. Homeowners choosing solar are exercising free market principles.
- Self-reliance and energy independence. Generating your own power reduces reliance on foreign energy sources and centralized infrastructure. With a battery, you gain true energy autonomy.
- Fiscal responsibility. Solar is a smart investment that delivers measurable returns, typically 10-15% annually. It reduces a recurring expense (electricity) and converts it into a productive asset.
- Local economic impact. Solar installations create local jobs. Gold Path Solar is an Ohio-based, employee-owned company that employs local workers and grows through community referrals, not corporate subsidies.
The Progressive Case for Solar
For homeowners who lean left, the alignment is equally strong:
- Climate action. Residential solar directly reduces carbon emissions by displacing fossil fuel electricity. See our environmental benefits guide for specific data.
- Environmental justice. Fossil fuel power plants disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color. Reducing demand for fossil fuel generation improves air quality in these communities.
- Energy equity. $0-down financing makes solar accessible across income levels, allowing more families to benefit from energy cost savings.
- Clean energy transition. Every residential solar installation contributes to the broader shift toward a clean energy economy.
What Policy Changes Could Affect Solar?
While solar makes financial sense regardless of politics, specific policies do affect the economics. Here is what to watch and why it supports acting sooner rather than later:
Federal Tax Credit (ITC)
The 30% federal Investment Tax Credit is currently available through 2032, with a scheduled step-down to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034. While the credit has historically enjoyed bipartisan support and has been extended multiple times, future extensions are never guaranteed.
What this means for you: The 30% credit is available now. Locking it in today protects you from any future reductions, regardless of which party controls Congress.
State Tax Credits and Incentives
State-level solar incentives, like South Carolina’s 25% state tax credit, are set by state legislatures and can change with new administrations. Some states have expanded solar incentives, others have reduced them. The trend over time has been generally supportive, but individual state policies fluctuate.
What this means for you: If your state currently offers strong incentives, take advantage of them while they are available. See our state-specific guides for Ohio, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
Net Metering
Net metering policies are set at the state level and regulated by public utility commissions. Some states have modified net metering to reduce the credit rate for new solar customers. However, existing customers are typically grandfathered into the policy that was active when they connected.
What this means for you: Going solar now locks in current net metering terms. Waiting risks connecting under potentially less favorable policies. Read more about how net metering works and why it matters.
Utility Rate Changes
Electricity rates are influenced by fuel costs, infrastructure investments, regulation, and market dynamics. Rates have increased 3-5% annually on average and are projected to continue rising regardless of which party is in power. Utility rate increases are driven by market forces and infrastructure needs, not political parties.
What this means for you: Every year you wait, you pay higher rates. Solar locks in your energy cost at today’s prices. See our article on what is driving your rising electric bill.
[INSERT IMAGE: Timeline showing the federal solar tax credit under different administrations, demonstrating bipartisan support]
Should I Wait to See What Happens Politically?
No. Here is the straightforward math:
- If policies stay the same or improve: You locked in savings and are already benefiting. No downside.
- If policies get worse: You locked in current favorable terms (tax credit, net metering) before the changes took effect. You are protected.
- Every year you wait: You pay 3-5% more in electricity costs, miss a year of solar savings ($1,500+), and risk policy changes that could reduce incentives.
Waiting for political certainty is itself a financial decision, and it is a losing one. The cost of waiting is measurable and guaranteed (higher utility bills, potentially lower incentives). The potential upside of waiting is speculative and unlikely to outweigh the costs.
For a complete financial analysis, see our solar ROI and savings guide.
Solar’s Track Record Through Political Changes
The solar industry has grown consistently through multiple administrations, economic cycles, and policy shifts. Some key milestones:
- The solar ITC was originally enacted in 2006 and has been extended by both parties multiple times.
- U.S. solar installations have grown from fewer than 1 GW in 2010 to over 200 GW today.
- Solar panel costs have dropped over 70% in the past decade, driven by technology improvements and manufacturing scale, not government mandates.
- Solar is now one of the cheapest sources of new electricity generation, competitive with fossil fuels on pure economics even without subsidies.
Solar has reached a point where its growth is driven primarily by economics, not policy. Tax credits accelerate adoption, but solar would continue growing even without them because the financial returns are compelling on their own.
The Bottom Line
Solar is not a political statement. It is a financial decision that reduces your costs, increases your home’s value, and gives you control over your energy. Those benefits exist under any administration.
The smartest time to go solar is when the incentives are strongest and the rates are still low, which is right now. Do not let election cycles distract you from a decision that will benefit your household for 25+ years regardless of who sits in any office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the solar tax credit going away?
The 30% federal solar tax credit is currently available through 2032, with scheduled reductions in 2033 and 2034. While future extensions are possible, they are never guaranteed. The safest strategy is to claim the credit while it is available at its current level.
Do Republicans support solar energy?
At the consumer level, solar adoption is strong in Republican-led states including Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia. Solar appeals to conservative values of property rights, self-reliance, and free market competition. Political support for solar incentives varies by individual representative, but the practical benefits of solar transcend party affiliation.
Will solar still be worth it if the tax credit is reduced?
Yes. Solar panel costs have fallen enough that the financial case is strong even without the full 30% credit. The tax credit improves the return, but it is not the sole driver. Homeowners who install today receive the full benefit while it is available.
Can the government force me to remove solar panels?
No. Solar panels installed on your property with proper permits are a permanent, legal home improvement. They cannot be removed by any level of government absent extraordinary and unprecedented circumstances. Your property, your panels, your electricity.
Make a Decision That Outlasts Any Election – Go Solar with Gold Path Solar →