The once red-hot U.S. residential solar market is showing signs of cooling off—but don’t count it out just yet. A combination of rising interest rates, regulatory changes, and supply chain challenges have led to a notable dip in installations across the country. But while the short-term trend suggests a slowdown, industry experts remain optimistic about the long-term potential of rooftop solar.

📉 The Numbers Don’t Lie: Installations Are Down

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie, residential solar installations dropped by 13% year-over-year in Q1 2025, with 1,106 megawatts (MW) installed nationwide. That’s also a 4% decline from the previous quarter. This marks a continuation of the trend that began in 2024, which saw the residential sector contract in 22 states—including a five-year low in California [^1].

Analysts at BloombergNEF predict that total U.S. solar capacity will fall by 7% between 2025 and 2027, with a projected 1% annual decline through 2035 under current policy scenarios [^2].

🧾 What’s Behind the Drop?

1. Higher Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve’s continued efforts to tame inflation have made financing solar systems more expensive for homeowners. The result? Fewer consumers are willing to commit to the upfront investment, even with long-term savings in play [^3].

2. Policy Shifts in Key States

California, long considered the leader in solar adoption, rolled back its Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2.0 program in favor of NEM 3.0, which significantly reduces the value of solar exports back to the grid. Installations in the state fell sharply as a result [^1].

On the federal side, proposed cuts to the 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC)—a major driver of residential adoption—have caused uncertainty in the market. According to Reuters, solar stocks plummeted following changes in a Senate tax bill that threatened to shrink or eliminate these credits [^4].

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3. Tariffs and Supply Constraints

Tariffs on Chinese and other foreign-made solar panels have led to price increases and reduced availability. Simultaneously, battery storage components are experiencing shortages, further delaying installations and complicating project timelines [^5].

🌤 The Long-Term Picture: A Resilient Future

Despite the headwinds, many in the industry see this as a short-term correction rather than a lasting decline. SEIA projects a return to 9% annual residential growth from 2025 to 2030, particularly if financing conditions improve and federal incentives remain intact [^1].

Additionally, solar panel prices remain historically low, hovering around $2.50–$2.60 per watt installed. That affordability, coupled with increasing demand for home electrification and EV charging solutions, makes rooftop solar an attractive long-term investment [^1].

In a recent industry survey, 78% of solar installers said they expect to sell as much or more in 2025 than they did in 2024 [^3]. And while the market is down in states like California, others—including Texas, Florida, and Arizona—are continuing to grow.

✅ Final Takeaway

Yes, residential solar is currently in a downturn. But it’s more of a recalibration than a collapse. Regulatory turbulence and financial pressures are squeezing the market, but the fundamentals—affordability, environmental benefits, and technological advancement—remain strong.

The future of residential solar will depend heavily on stable policy support, affordable financing, and continued innovation. If those stars align, the industry could see another boom in the latter half of the decade.

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📚 Sources

[^1]: SEIA/Wood Mackenzie. U.S. Solar Market Insight Q1 2025.

https://www.seia.org/us-solar-market-insight

[^2]: BloombergNEF. 2025–2035 U.S. Solar Outlook.

[^3]: SolarReviews. 2025 Solar Industry Installer Sentiment Survey.

[^4]: Reuters. Senate committee’s changes to tax bill slam US solar stocks. [June 2025]

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/senate-committees-changes-tax-bill-slam-us-solar-stocks-2025-06-16

[^5]: AP News. China dominates solar. Trump tariffs target China. For US solar industry, that means higher costs. [June 2025]

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https://apnews.com/article/e0a764b42a6ba638a4201c5683f98a6b

STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.

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Image Credit: Rebecca Jo Washington

The culinary world is reeling from the sudden and tragic loss of beloved chef and television personality Anne Burrell, who was found dead in her Brooklyn, New York, home on the morning of Tuesday, June 17. She was 55 years old.

According to a statement from the New York City Police Department, officers from the 76th Precinct responded around 7:50 a.m. to a report of “an unconscious and unresponsive 55-year-old female.” Emergency medical services arrived shortly after and pronounced her dead at the scene. While police did not formally release her name pending family notification, public records and the address provided in the police statement confirm that the residence belongs to Burrell.

A cause of death has not yet been determined. The city’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to clarify the circumstances surrounding her passing.

Burrell’s representatives confirmed the heartbreaking news in a release obtained by People magazine, marking a devastating moment for fans, friends, and fellow chefs who admired her bold personality, bright red hair, and fierce culinary skills.

Best known for her work on Food Network shows like Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Worst Cooks in America, and Iron Chef America, Burrell was a standout in the food television landscape. A classically trained chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she blended expertise with an infectious enthusiasm that made her a favorite among viewers and a mentor to many aspiring cooks.

Tributes from across the food and entertainment communities have begun pouring in as the industry mourns the loss of one of its brightest and most unique stars. More details are expected in the coming days as the investigation continues and the autopsy results are released.

Anne Burrell’s legacy will live on through the meals she inspired, the careers she helped shape, and the joy she brought to countless kitchens around the world.

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Related Links:

People: Anne Burrell Found ‘Unconscious and Unresponsive,’ Pronounced Dead at Scene: Police

USA Today: Anne Burrell, chef and Food Network star, dies at 55

STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.

https://stmdailynews.com/

Image Credit: CHSRA

The Federal Challenge

• $7 billion funding gap that the Authority allegedly lacks a credible plan to close
• Missed 2024 procurement deadline for train purchases
• Significant cost overruns and project delays
• Default on federal grant terms according to the federal review

CHSRA’s Counterattack

Key Points in CHSRA’s Defense:

The Broader Implications

What’s at Stake:

• $4 billion in federal funding that could be redirected to other transportation projects
• Thousands of construction jobs currently supporting the Central Valley construction
• America’s high-speed rail ambitions and competitiveness with global transportation leaders
• State-federal partnership models for major infrastructure investments

Construction Continues Amid Uncertainty

The 37-Day Countdown

Looking Ahead

• Can CHSRA provide a convincing funding plan to close the $7 billion gap?
• Will political considerations ultimately override technical project assessments?
• How will this battle affect future federal-state infrastructure partnerships?
• What happens to the billions already invested if the project is terminated?