#137: Abigail Ross Hopper on the Solar Decade and What Comes Next

Abigail Ross Hopper joins Experts Only for her final interview as CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. In this conversation with Jon Powers, she reflects on nearly a decade leading SEIA through extraordinary growth, political turbulence, and the transformation of solar from a fast-rising technology into a central force in America’s energy future. Jon and Abby discuss the industry’s evolution over the past 10 years, from trade fights and policy uncertainty to the rise of domestic manufacturing, storage, and stronger political engagement across the clean energy sector. They also talk candidly about what the industry still needs to do to compete, communicate its value, and build lasting influence in Washington and beyond. It’s a thoughtful look back at one of the most consequential eras in solar—and a forward-looking conversation about what comes next.