Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Companies making solar energy components are showcasing their manufacturing prowess to Republicans in hopes of staving off reconciliation cuts.
Why it matters: Solar employs more than a quarter-million people spread across every state.
- IRA proponents have been amplifying the message of how all of the law's energy credits fit together — and how repealing demand-juicing incentives the GOP dislikes could upend supply-inducing provisions they support.
Zoom in: About 30 companies making panels, solar shingles, inverters, trackers, modules and inverters met with nearly two dozen congressional offices primarily representing the Midwest.
- Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, speaking to the group in the Capitol last week, distilled the tax debate to three numbers: "45, 48, 25."
- Fairly widespread support for the 45X manufacturing credit must be matched for the 48E investment tax credit and the 25D rooftop solar credit, Krishnamoorthi said.
- "What's the point of just building stuff if we can't sell it?" he said.
The other side: Rep. Ralph Norman, cochair of the Bipartisan Solar Caucus, didn't explicitly say whether he supported phasing out the credits.
- "Embracing an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy is crucial, and solar plays a role in that mix," Norman said in a statement to Axios.
- "But let me be clear — that does not mean we support endless subsidies," he added.
Rep. Julie Fedorchak introduced legislation last week to phase out the investment and production tax credits for wind and solar.
- The rollout of wind and solar has caused adverse impacts on the power grid and energy markets, Fedorchak told Axios in February.
