USDA Eliminates Support for Wind and Solar Projects on Farmland
The US Department of Agriculture announced it will stop funding wind and solar projects on American farmland, citing concerns about the use of prime agricultural land and foreign-manufactured solar panels. This move revokes key Biden-era incentives for renewables, shifts support toward biofuels, and restricts the use of Chinese-made solar components in federally funded projects[5].
IRS Restricts Safe Harbor for Wind and Solar Tax Credits
The IRS issued Notice 2025-42, significantly tightening the rules for when wind and solar projects can claim they have “begun construction” for clean energy tax credits, effectively limiting the 5% Safe Harbor method to low-output solar projects under 1.5 MW. These changes apply to projects starting construction after September 2, 2025, and are expected to impact large-scale wind and solar development strategies nationwide[4][8].
Texas Surpasses California in Installed Solar Capacity Amid Regulatory Shifts
Texas has officially overtaken California as the state with the most installed solar capacity, driven by surging demand from energy-intensive industries and rapid population growth. However, recent state and federal policy changes, including new tax equity rules and reliability requirements, have injected uncertainty into the Texas clean energy market, especially regarding project permitting, interconnection, and residential solar[2].
UN Report: Renewables Nearly Match Fossil Fuels in Global Power Capacity
A new United Nations special report highlights that renewables now almost equal fossil fuels in global installed power capacity, with nearly all new power capacity built in 2024 coming from renewables. The report notes rapid global expansion and that clean energy jobs now outnumber fossil fuel jobs, signaling a major economic and employment shift[6].
Germany Cuts Power Consumption Tariffs to Support Green Growth
The German government has introduced a two-year reduction in electricity consumption tariffs, a move welcomed by industry as a catalyst for green growth. The policy aims to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and support industrial competitiveness amid ongoing energy transition efforts[3].