In 2025, solar energy installations in the United States saw a decline, attributed to government policies under Donald Trump that favored fossil fuels over renewable energy sources. The report, released by the Solar Energy Industries Association and energy research firm Wood Mackenzie, indicated that although solar energy remained the largest source of new electricity generation added to the grid, the volume compared to the previous year decreased by 14%. This decline highlights the impact of federal energy policies on renewable installations.

In addition to the decrease in solar installations, the report noted a significant increase in battery storage installations, which reached their highest annual level. The Trump administration had criticized solar and wind energy but was comparatively less adverse to battery storage solutions. This shift suggests a complex relationship between energy policy and the technologies that support renewable energy, with the report's authors indicating that the federal emphasis on fossil fuels hindered solar industry growth.

Experts, like Michelle Davis, the global head of solar energy at Wood Mackenzie, remark on the undeniable impact of federal policy on the solar industry, suggesting that the favoritism towards fossil fuels in the 2025 energy landscape has considerably affected market dynamics. The findings of the report underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the renewable energy sector in navigating political climates that may not be supportive of clean energy advancements.