Key facts
- Donald Trump has pursued policies to increase domestic fossil fuel production and reduce reliance on renewables.
- The administration's attempts to block offshore wind projects and scrap solar tax credits have faced legal challenges and opposition from states like California and New York.
- Solar energy generation exceeded coal generation in the U.S. electricity mix for the first time in May 2026.
- Demand for rooftop solar panels continues to rise in the U.S. despite financial deterrents.
- New York is advancing legislation to legalize plug-in solar panels, which can be used by renters and apartment dwellers.
Donald Trump's administration has actively pursued policies to boost domestic fossil fuel production and curb the growth of renewable energy, a strategy that is facing significant resistance and legal challenges. Despite declarations of National Energy Emergencies and executive orders favoring coal, American interest in homegrown clean energy, particularly solar and wind, continues to surge.
The administration has attempted to block numerous offshore wind projects, claiming they pose national security risks. While some initial bans were overturned by federal judges, the Interior Department has since begun buying back offshore wind leases, offering companies financial incentives to invest in fossil fuels instead. This has led to the halt of eight offshore wind projects, with nearly $2.6 billion spent on these agreements. French energy giant TotalEnergies was offered almost $1 billion to redirect funds from offshore leases to fossil fuel projects, a deal that New York is challenging. In a separate development, a Paris court ruled that TotalEnergies must assess and report on the environmental risks of its products' consumption.
California is also preparing to sue the administration over the termination of an offshore wind project, highlighting the state's commitment to developing 25 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2045. David Hochschild, Chair of California's Energy Commission, described the administration's tactics as a "strategic mistake of colossal proportions," especially given the impact of global conflicts on fossil fuel prices.
Furthermore, the "Big Beautiful Bill" signed into law by Trump effectively scrapped the 30% residential solar tax credit nearly a decade ahead of schedule, increasing costs for homeowners. Despite these financial deterrents, solar firms report rising demand for rooftop panels. SolarTech saw its 2025 sales more than double compared to 2024, and Exact Solar projects 100% revenue growth this year. Aaron Nichols, a solar policy specialist, noted that "more Americans are choosing to own their energy than ever before."
In a significant milestone, solar energy surpassed coal generation in the U.S. electricity mix for the first time in May 2026, supplying a record 12.8% of electricity while coal fell to 12.2%. Energy think tank Ember reported that solar output reached an all-time high of 45.5 TWh. New York is also moving closer to a solar transformation with the passage of the Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act, which aims to legalize plug-in solar panels, a technology that could benefit renters and those in multi-unit dwellings who cannot access rooftop solar.