Glad I got rooftop solar on the cheap during the previous administration, even in summer here in Florida my electricity bill barely registers. I don't know a single person here that doesn't regret getting it back when the interest was 1%, now with electricity prices going up and incentives being taken down there isn't much to be done anymore.
kcplate · 3h ago
What’s the net difference though? Most of my neighbors with solar I have spoken to (central FL) are at basically a wash between payment for the solar vs power bills pre-solar, although admittedly recent rate hikes are probably changing that mix a bit. Many of them basically made the finance term to the useful life of the panels. One neighbor that tried to sell and had a couple offers contingent on solar removal.
It just feels to me to be very nearly zero sum game financially, with even a bit of adverse risk leaning towards opting for a solar installation considering potential for roof warranty and insurance issues due to some of the less reputable providers/installers out there. Certainly if the reputation of the technology takes a hit, a barrier to selling your home could be a pain point as well.
I’ll say this, I don’t hear any regret, but for me these things are a barrier to adoption unless I was planning on being in the home for a longer (20+ years) term and wasn’t financing the system.
xnx · 4h ago
The huge new import tax on solar panels from China will do more damage to solar projects than a change in subsidies.
The fossil fuel industry holds sway in the current US administration, which has also blatantly shown corruption by Middle East oil producers. Let the US choke on antiquated technologies. Oil, gas, coal will have a purpose forever but clean energy will be something the rest of the world gets to enjoy more.
doppelgunner · 5h ago
On the bright side, at least it was solar money. It only works during the day and disappears at night anyway.
Animats · 5h ago
Subsidies are not the big item. Solar doesn't need subsidies any more.
It's Trump's huge tariffs on solar panels.[1] 54% on China. 3500% on Cambodia.
Of course it needs subsidies, it's competing with other forms of energy generation that are either heavily subsidized, freed from the cost of their externalities, or both.
taylodl · 3h ago
Bingo. Solar isn't competing in a fair playing field. We've been subsidizing energy for decades and people seem to have forgotten that we do so.
It just feels to me to be very nearly zero sum game financially, with even a bit of adverse risk leaning towards opting for a solar installation considering potential for roof warranty and insurance issues due to some of the less reputable providers/installers out there. Certainly if the reputation of the technology takes a hit, a barrier to selling your home could be a pain point as well.
I’ll say this, I don’t hear any regret, but for me these things are a barrier to adoption unless I was planning on being in the home for a longer (20+ years) term and wasn’t financing the system.
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/22/business/us-tariffs-southeast...