North Carolina's rooftop solar market is holding up even as the industry faces significant headwinds, according to a veteran installer. Stew Miller, who founded his solar company in the state during the 2000s, acknowledges that there is "a lot of negativity" among his peers right now. The main cause is the elimination of the 30% federal tax credit, which was removed as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by Republicans a year ago.
That tax credit had been a major financial incentive for homeowners to go solar, and its loss has cast a shadow over the sector. Yet Miller's own experience suggests the market is not collapsing. He reports that rooftop solar remains "alive and well" in North Carolina, indicating that demand has persisted despite the reduced federal support.
The contrast between industry sentiment and actual performance is striking. While many in the business are pessimistic about the future, the ongoing activity on the ground points to a more resilient market. Miller's perspective offers a counterpoint to the prevailing gloom, suggesting that solar adoption may be driven by factors beyond just the tax credit, such as electricity costs and environmental concerns.