Oh, So Trump Loves Solar Power After All?

President Trump has spent much of his term working against wind and solar power, but a new order suggests solar is getting different treatment. On August 6, Trump issued a proclamation under trade law that sets a minimum price for imported polysilicon, the raw material used to make most solar panels. It also directs the Commerce Department to build an incentive program to grow US polysilicon manufacturing. Some solar industry figures welcomed the move, saying it could push more investment into domestic panel production, though the trade group SEIA noted the new price floor could also create cost challenges for manufacturers here.

For homeowners, the immediate effects are more about the industry than your wallet. Solar keeps growing fast in the US: the country passed 6 million total solar installations in 2026, and rooftop systems make up about 97% of those installations. Forecasts point to continued growth in capacity through 2030. That suggests panels and installers aren't going away, and domestic manufacturing may expand further, but no new consumer rebate or price break for homeowners was announced here.

Wind power, especially offshore wind, remains a separate story, with the administration still trying to block and buy back offshore leases even as courts push back. None of this changes existing home solar incentives on its own, but it points to solar retaining strong policy and market momentum, which could matter if you're already weighing a rooftop system or watching prices on panels and equipment.