Gas prices are rising and the demand for renewable energy is growing. How are big players in the green tech industry preparing for the evolving policy around solar energy credits? (Recorded live at RE+ in Las Vegas)

Sep 11, 2025

Sean Gallagher is the Senior Vice President of Policy at SEIA, leading vital policy work across the U.S., while Steven Munson is a Valuation and Tax Credit Advisor at CohnReznik, specializing in energy infrastructure. They delve into the rising gas prices and the increasing demand for solar energy. The conversation touches on the regulatory challenges facing the solar market, the complexities of tax credits, and how emerging technologies can drive growth. The guests emphasize strategic planning necessary for navigating this evolving landscape.

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INSIGHT

Solar Dominates New Capacity

Solar and storage made up the vast majority of new capacity and queued projects this year.
Republican-led states like Texas, Indiana, and Arizona are driving much of that growth.

INSIGHT

Fastest Path To Near-Term Power

Solar and storage are the fastest deployable options to meet near-term power needs.
New gas turbines can take six to eight years to install, so they won't fill demand in the next 3–5 years.

INSIGHT

Policy Changes Creating 'Peak Chaos'

The sector is in a 'peak chaos' period driven by rapid policy changes and implementation uncertainty.
Department of Interior permitting and new guidance could delay or cancel projects, tightening supply and raising prices.

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Despite the US adding 4.3 gigawatts of solar manufacturing capacity in Q2, there were no additions to the upstream components of polysilicon wafer and cell manufacturing. As gas prices continue to rise and the demand for alternative power supplies grows, get a detailed look at what big names in energy are doing to get over the hurdles.

On her second day at RE+ in Las Vegas, Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie, explores the trajectory of solar and storage. Alongside industry experts, this episode of Interchange Recharged discusses the exciting yet challenging future of solar energy and energy storage amidst changing policy landscapes and growing demand. Sylvia and her guests explore and explain the dynamics of solar capacity, regulatory and financial challenges such as One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) accelerating the phase-down of key tax credits, and emerging technologies fueling the renewable energy sector.

This episode includes an exclusive excerpt from Sylvia’s presentation with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). She discusses energy policy uncertainty, market saturation in the solar energy industry, and manufacturing hurdles in the renewable energy space.

Featured guests in this episode of Interchange Recharged:

Sean Gallagher, Senior Vice President of Policy at SEIA
Steven Munson, Valuation and Tax Credit Advisor for Energy Transition at CohnReznik

In this episode, Sylvia and her guests discuss:

The State of Solar Energy and Storage - Sean discusses why solar and energy storage are crucial for power demands in the coming years, emphasizing their role in new energy infrastructures.
Impact of Policy Changes - Sean and Sylvia explore the effects of recent legislative changes, including the projected decline in solar installations post-2027, and how peak chaos impacts the industry.
Investor Perspectives and Valuations - Steven shares insights on current investor sentiments, valuation challenges, and trends in renewable energy financing.
Technological Advancements – The guests discuss strategies to improve efficiencies in solar modules, automated permitting, and innovations aiming to lower costs.
Looking Into the Future – Sylvia and her guests explore potential long-term effects of emerging technologies like AI on power markets and the need to adapt quickly to policy updates.

Interchange Recharged explores clean tech, green finance and energy innovation, the three lanes on the road to a successful global energy transition. At the intersection of these lanes is a place where ideas on finance, technology and policy are shared and debated.

Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie, and her guests bring you data and forecasts on clean technology, climate change, and offer predictions on the build out of utility-scale projects and the future of green finance.

Check out another leading clean tech global podcast by Wood Mackenzie, Energy Gang, at woodmac.com/podcasts/the-energy-gang

Wood Mackenzie is the leading global data and analytics solutions provider for renewables, energy and natural resources. Learn more about Wood Mackenzie on the official website: https://www.woodmac.com/

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