Press Release Archive
SEIA issues press releases on topics ranging from state and federal policy to brand new research and data. Browse the archive of all press releases below. To explore our full news center, including blogs and other solar news, click here.
Net Metering Program Details Finalized in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SC and WASHINGTON, D.C — Yesterday the South Carolina Public Service Commission issued final rules for net metering in South Carolina. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) worked collaboratively with Duke Energy to successfully create a net metering program in South Carolina that better aligns with customer behavior and electricity system needs.
Iowa Solar Industry Joins National Advocacy Network
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) announced today that it is adding the Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association (ISETA) as an official state affiliate. ISETA becomes the 20th SEIA affiliate, joining its neighbors Minnesota, Wisconsin and Missouri in the growing network of state solar advocacy groups. These formal partnerships help to connect regional organizations to additional resources and the national effort to promote solar in markets around the country.
Solar Leases in South Carolina Get Property Tax Exemption
COLUMBIA, SC and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, South Carolina’s state legislature passed H. 3354, which exempts leased and third party owned residential solar systems from property taxes. This exemption is already in place for solar customers that own their systems. The new legislation puts all solar customers on equal footing when it comes to tax treatment. H. 3354 prevents solar customers from getting double taxed and will help to support South Carolina’s growing rooftop solar market.
Solar Industry Statement on Supply Chain Concerns in Xinjiang
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following is a statement from John Smirnow, vice president of market strategy for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
Solar Jobs Support 231,000 Families, Must Grow 4X to Reach Biden's Clean Energy Target
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. solar industry employed 231,474 workers in 2020, a 6.7% drop from 2019 due to pandemic restrictions and increased labor productivity, according to the National Solar Jobs Census 2020 released today by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), The Solar Foundation, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), and BW Research.
New Traceability Protocol Allows Solar Companies to Ensure Ethical Supply Chain
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is releasing a new tool to increase supply chain transparency and help ensure that all solar components are made ethically throughout the solar value chain.
West Virginia Enables Solar Power Purchase Agreements
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The West Virginia legislature has passed a bill to make it easier for West Virginians to benefit from solar energy. House Bill 3310 enables power purchase agreements (PPAs). PPAs are a widely available method to finance distributed energy generation projects such as rooftop solar panels. PPAs are now allowed in 29 states.
Solar Industry Statement on President Biden’s First Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following is a statement from Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) on President Biden’s Address to Congress.
South Carolina PSC Adopts SEIA’s Proposal to Preserve Net Metering
COLUMBIA, SC and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, South Carolina Public Service Commissioner Tom Ervin motioned to accept a proposal that included several suggestions from the various non-utility parties, including the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCEA), regarding successor net metering tariffs.
COVID Relief for SMART Program Caught in Red Tape
BOSTON and WASHINGTON, D.C. — It has now been more than a year since the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) expanded the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program. The program was expanded by the Baker administration as part of its emergency COVID relief efforts in April 2020. These regulations should have expedited the opening of the program, but SMART has been hampered by cascading delays, and bureaucratic red tape has made it impossible for the SMART program to get off the ground.