WASHINGTON, D.C. - At Solar Power International, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it will be expanding the SunShot Initiative following the news that the solar industry has already achieved the program’s 2020 utility-scale solar cost target. Following is a statement from Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA):

“This week’s news is a testament to the strength and cost-competitiveness of solar power here in America. In many parts of the country, solar energy is now the cheapest form of electricity.
 
“The SunShot Initiative has made significant contributions to lowering the cost of solar power nationwide and advancing critical, innovative research and we appreciate the Trump administration’s recognition of this. We are strong supporters of the program and believe it should continue to receive robust support.
 
“As an industry, we are excited to surpass the next set of milestones DOE has set. However, the extent to which solar will be able to achieve these new long-term goals could depend on whether additional costs, through unhelpful trade policy, are added to the economic equation. We remain hopeful decision-makers in the case will not put a damper on solar’s proven record of economic success.”


###

About SEIA®:

Celebrating its 43rd anniversary in 2017, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry, which now employs more than 260,000 Americans. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America.  SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to build jobs and diversity, champion the use of cost-competitive solar in America, remove market barriers and educate the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

Media Contact:

Alex Hobson, SEIA Senior Communications Manager, [email protected] (202) 556-2886