What Does Solar Energy Industries Association Do?
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the U.S. solar energy industry (https://www.seia.org/). Founded in 1974, SEIA is a non-profit organization that represents all organizations that promote, manufacture, install and support the development of solar energy (https://www.seia.org/about). SEIA’s mission is to create the framework for solar to reach 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030.
With approximately 1,000 member companies, SEIA works with its membership to advocate for pro-solar policies and educate the public on the benefits of solar energy. SEIA is considered the voice of the solar industry and represents solar installers, manufacturers, service providers, and others involved in moving toward a clean energy future.
Advocacy Efforts
The Solar Energy Industries Association is actively involved in advocating for favorable policies and regulations to support the growth of solar energy. As the national trade association representing the solar industry, SEIA engages in lobbying efforts and works closely with federal, state and local governments.
At the federal level, SEIA advocates for measures such as the solar investment tax credit, which provides a critical tax credit for solar installations. SEIA lobbies Congress to extend this important incentive. The association also weighs in on major legislation that impacts the solar industry, as well as regulatory issues before agencies like the Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
SEIA has state-level advocacy teams that push for state policies that will facilitate solar adoption. This includes net metering policies that allow solar panel owners to sell excess energy back to the grid. SEIA teams lobby state legislatures directly and coordinate grassroots advocacy campaigns engaging the public and solar companies in support of favorable policies.
The association also advocates on the local level for solar-friendly building codes and permitting processes to reduce red tape and costs for rooftop solar installations. SEIA works with municipalities across the U.S. to streamline local rules and regulations to enable solar-friendly communities.
Through its coordinated efforts at all levels of government, SEIA gives solar companies and the broader industry a unified voice to shape policy and regulatory conditions so that solar can continue its impressive growth.
Research
SEIA publishes several market research reports and data on the solar industry. This includes the Solar Market Insight Report, which provides analysis on the size, growth, and capacity of the U.S. solar market. The 2022 Year in Review found that the U.S. installed 23.9 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity in 2022, representing 43% year-over-year growth. SEIA also maintains the Solar Industry Research Data webpage, which contains statistics and graphs on solar energy adoption, capacity, employment, and other trends.
Additional market research published by SEIA focuses on specific market segments like residential and commercial solar. The research tracks adoption rates, prices, policies, and other factors shaping these markets. For example, SEIA’s Solar Means Business Report analyzes commercial solar usage among top U.S. companies. The 2022 report found Meta, Amazon, Apple, Walmart, and Microsoft as the top corporate solar adopters.
Conferences & Events
SEIA organizes major solar industry events throughout the year, including their flagship event Solar Power International (SPI). SPI is the largest solar trade show in North America, bringing together thousands of industry professionals, businesses, and thought leaders. The 2023 edition will take place in Anaheim, California from September 18-21 (RE+ 2023 | SEIA).
In addition to SPI, SEIA hosts numerous other conferences and events focused on solar policy, community solar, workforce development, and more. Their 2024 events calendar includes regional Solar Sisters networking events, the Women in Solar & Storage Reception, and the RE+ Expo, taking place in San Diego in September 2024 (2024 SEIA Events Calendar). These conferences allow solar professionals to connect, gain knowledge, and advance the industry.
Education & Training
SEIA is dedicated to developing a highly-skilled solar workforce through education and training initiatives. The organization has established the Solar Training Network to connect workers with quality training programs across the country (Commitment to Quality Solar Workforce Training). SEIA also works closely with the Department of Energy to develop training standards and resources for solar jobs.
SEIA helps connect employers with registered apprenticeship programs to provide on-the-job training paired with classroom instruction (Workforce Development). These programs allow workers to gain skills and experience in solar installation, sales, project development and more. The organization advocates at state and federal levels for policies that support solar job training and workforce readiness.
To recognize companies that demonstrate exceptional training practices, SEIA administers the Workforce Development Certification. This program certifies solar employers based on criteria such as safety training, career development, and competitive compensation and benefits. SEIA also offers professional certifications for solar jobs through its PV Associate Exam and PV Installation Professional Exam.
Consumer Resources
SEIA provides many valuable resources for homeowners interested in going solar. This includes comprehensive guides like the Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power, which informs potential solar customers about financing options, contracting terms, and other useful tips.
SEIA also offers a Consumer Protection portal with tools homeowners need to make an informed solar decision. This covers topics like how to choose a solar company, understand your solar contract, and file a complaint if needed.
Additionally, SEIA’s Solar Customer Resource Portal provides a wealth of consumer information on going solar. From site assessments to tax credits to performance guarantees, SEIA aims to educate and protect solar consumers.
Business Development
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) provides support for solar companies in various ways. According to the SEIA website (https://www.seia.org/), the organization embodies “the innovation and entrepreneurship that defines solar energy.”
One way SEIA supports solar businesses is through advocacy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SEIA advocated for legislation to assist the 75% of solar companies that are small businesses (https://www.seia.org/research-resources/covid-19-resource-options-small-business). This demonstrates SEIA’s commitment to supporting the solar industry.
In addition to advocacy, SEIA provides resources, events, and initiatives aimed at helping solar companies start, grow, and thrive. This includes business development resources, market data and insights, networking events, and more.
Incentives & Policies
SEIA advocates for favorable solar incentives and policies at the federal, state, and local levels. This includes efforts to extend and expand the federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows homeowners and businesses to deduct 30% of the cost of installing a solar energy system from their federal taxes (SEIA). SEIA also pushes for state and local rebates, tax credits, and other financial incentives to make solar more affordable and attractive (SEIA).
For example, SEIA supports net metering policies which allow solar system owners to sell excess electricity back to the grid. They advocate setting fair rates and terms for this exchange. SEIA also backs solar access laws that prevent local restrictions on installing solar panels. Overall, these advocacy efforts aim to accelerate solar adoption through favorable government policies.
Industry Collaboration
SEIA works closely with a variety of partners and coalitions to advance solar energy and build the solar industry. Some key collaborations include:
Formal partnerships with state and regional solar energy associations, known as Official State Affiliates, to coordinate advocacy and promotional efforts at the state level.
The Solar Energy Industries Association is a founding member of the Solar Power Alliance, which brings together organizations representing solar installers, manufacturers, and advocates to speak with a unified voice.
Coalitions like the Solar Working Group and the Solar Access to Public Capital Coalition that coordinate policy initiatives with other solar companies and industry stakeholders.
Partnerships with environmental advocates, consumer groups, faith organizations and other aligned interests to build support for solar through initiatives like the Solar Saves Lives campaign.
Conclusion
In summary, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the U.S. solar energy industry. SEIA works to advance solar energy through advocacy, research, events, education and business development. They aim to transform the energy economy and tackle climate change by making solar an accessible and cost-effective energy source.
Looking to the future, SEIA has set an ambitious goal for solar to reach 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. This will require bold action in policies, grid infrastructure, workforce training and financing. SEIA is focused on driving growth in solar energy and supporting the hundreds of thousands of jobs in the industry. With the right strategies and collaboration, they believe solar power can play a major role in building a clean energy economy.
