This is your SolarWakeup for August 26th, 2024

Your IRA Talking Points. Every single one of us is asked about the political risk around the IRA and the election so let me give you my two cents, which is a consolidation of some of the ideas that I’ve heard. The IRA serves two purposes for the republican majority, assuming that remains post election. The first is political, meaning the IRA is a great argument to make that democrats are on a spending frenzy while killing oil and gas or forcing EVs through a mandate. (Neither of which is actually the case but you get the point). The second is more nuanced and important for you to use in a discussion. The IRA is incredibly popular in parts, tax credits for solar, wind and energy storage etc. But there are many sections of the IRA that have not gotten the pull through, which happens with tax credits. With the Trump tax credits expiring next year, Congress will look for areas to ‘pay for’ those tax credits and pulling from the IRA, in parts, will be the argument.

The Bottom Line. It is politically unlikely that the republican majority would gut the IRA, just look at where the hundreds of billions of factories are located. They will argue against it publicly and then pull some unused sections as pay fors in the attempt to extend tax cuts. Ultimately this assumption will be tested based on how November plays out.

Thank You. It’s been a great first week at FTC Solar, I appreciate all of your support and notes. With RE+ coming up, I hope to see you there and of course I look forward to touching base with those of you that are in the market for trackers. It’s amazing to be back on the solar coaster!

Opinion

Best, Yann