Pawlenty's theory of the case for solar success
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Photo collage: Ben Geman/Axios. Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images; Pawlenty photo courtesy of SEIA
Tim Pawlenty, the new head of the solar industry's lobbying group, sees his gig through lenses that are purple and green.
Why it matters: Minnesota's former GOP governor arrives at the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) at a time of huge political problems for renewables under Trump 2.0.
- But there are some tailwinds, too. Rising demand and AI put a premium on energy that can come online fast, and affordability is the political buzzword of the moment as electricity bills rise.
The big picture: "One of the things I've been asked to do ... is to make sure that we make SEIA purple, and not have it be too one-sided or the other," Pawlenty said.
- "I think there's a big opportunity in front of us to reach out and rebuild some bridges with conservatives and Republicans on solar energy," he said in an interview a month into his job as the solar and storage group's president and CEO.
"The reason is the economics of it," Pawlenty said, citing solar's role as the largest new source of power capacity coming onto the grid in recent years.
Catch up quick: Both SEIA and another major trade group, the American Clean Power Association, have been stepping up outreach to conservatives and MAGA-world influencers.
Reality check: One near-term challenge? Swaying conservatives actually in power right now — notably Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who is placing a series of restrictions on permitting that can even hinder projects on private lands.
- Pawlenty said he's trying to schedule meetings with Burgum and the White House National Energy Dominance Council.
The intrigue: Pawlenty's approaching these hoped-for meetings with tempered expectations, saying SEIA isn't "delusional" about fundamental change.
- "But there may be some tweaks and some minor adjustments that could be helpful that wouldn't upset the overall policy direction or political direction that they want to head on these issues."
Zoom out: Solar has been surging for years, but the landscape has gotten tougher. Beyond executive restrictions, the 2025 GOP budget law quickly ended tax credits for residential solar installations.
- It also phased them out for utility-scale projects, prompting a rush to get projects under construction before the qualifying window closed July 4.
- Overall, SEIA and the consulting firm Wood Mackenzie estimate that new additions of solar generating capacity will be largely flat through 2031, a break from aggressive growth in recent years.
What we're watching: Pawlenty also sees political openings for extension of tax credits for manufacturing clean energy equipment, and permitting overhaul legislation that gives renewables a "level playing field."
- Part of his pitch to lawmakers on a bipartisan permitting deal: While this administration is singling out renewables for extra scrutiny, the shoe could end up on the other foot in the future.
- "It favors everybody," he said of a deal that provides certainty.
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