“The more you clamp down on emissions,
the more that will help renewables,” said the
company’s vice president, Mike Lucini.
Under Biden, the industry is also banking on
more certainty about tax credits, which analysts
say have been major drivers of renewables
growth. Tax credits for wind and solar were
extended in the December stimulus bill —
with Trump’s approval — and wind and solar
interests are hopeful they can rely on long-term
extensions in the coming years.
In addition, the industry wants an end of tariffs
that cause the U.S. to pay some of the world’s
highest equipment prices.
Tariffs on solar components are set to expire in
- While it’s unclear if Biden could end those
tariffs earlier, Berman of S&P Global Platts said
his administration probably won’t extend them
— unlike the Trump administration which was
looking to increase those tariffs as recently as a
few months ago.
In Maine, Dirigo Solar co-founder Bob Cleaves
said “there’s no question the Trump tariff on
solar panels that we’ve already purchased really
slowed down our projects.”
Biden’s administration raised the industry’s
hopes with a set of executive actions aimed at
tackling climate change on Jan. 27.
“Justice for disadvantaged communities and
welcoming legacy energy workers into the clean
power workforce are vital aspects of the success
of the clean energy transition,” said Heather
Zichal, chief executive officer of the American
Clean Power Association.