U.S. Solar Continues to Grow Despite Headwinds from Federal Government

Industry experts say that the Trump Administration has slowed and will continue to slow the expansion of U.S. solar, but expect solar to grow nevertheless.

1 minute read

March 19, 2018, 2:00 PM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Utility-Scale Solar

Piotr Zajda / Shutterstock

In terms of installations, 2017 was the second-best year on record for the U.S. solar industry. "Utilities, individuals and businesses installed 10.6 billion watts of solar photovoltaic capacity during Trump’s first year in office, according to the analysis by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)," Chris Mooney writes for the Washington Post.

This is not to say Trump, who has championed coal (solar's direct competitor), has not slowed solar's expansion. "The Trump administration has proposed slashing funding for solar energy programs — including the Energy Department division that houses the SunShot initiative, which aims to drive down solar’s cost — and the recently imposed import tariffs are expected to lead to fewer installations by increasing the cost of panels," Mooney reports. Still, experts project solar to continue to grow in 2018.

Thursday, March 15, 2018 in Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business