Utah, with its abundant sunshine and commitment to energy independence, stands on the cusp of a significant economic boom thanks to solar energy. Beyond the environmental benefits, investing in solar means a direct and tangible boost to the state’s job market, creating diverse opportunities that span from installation to advanced manufacturing and research.
The numbers speak for themselves. Utah’s solar industry supports over 5,200 solar jobs and is home to 164 solar companies, including many locally owned rooftop installers and small businesses. Rooftop solar creates 6x more permanent jobs per megawatt than utility-scale solar—jobs that are local, high-quality, and cannot be outsourced. With a multi-year 25D extension and a clear glide path, Utah can build on its momentum and create even more jobs in clean energy, construction, and manufacturing. Without 25D, Utah risks business closures and the loss of local jobs in a high-growth sector.
Which is why eliminating 25D energy credits in the Big, Beautiful Bill in Congress is so concerning.
Rooftop solar can be deployed quickly and affordably—faster than any other new energy source—and directly reduces pressure on Utah’s growing energy demand. With much of Utah’s future population growth expected along the Wasatch Front, rooftop solar is essential for meeting local needs without additional strain on infrastructure. Solar on rooftops uses existing buildings and preserves Utah’s natural landscapes, public lands, and agricultural spaces. Nationwide, residential solar deployed 5 nuclear power plants worth of power in last year alone.
And solar also aligns with Utah’s values. Residential solar gives Utah homeowners the freedom to choose how they power their homes and control their energy bills and supports energy independence at the household level and builds resilience in communities across the state—from Salt Lake City to rural Utah.
Supporting solar means protecting our air, conserving natural resources, and securing a cleaner, more affordable future for the next generation—values at the heart of Utah’s ethic of stewardship.
Today’s rooftop solar systems increasingly use American-made panels, racking, and inverters—supporting domestic jobs and supply chains. Rooftop solar enhances grid reliability by producing energy where it’s needed, reducing strain during extreme weather and peak usage periods.
We ask that Senator Curtis continue his leadership in negotiating a bill that include 25D residential energy credits at parity with other credits. Eliminating 25D now would jeopardize Utah’s clean energy progress and cost the state jobs, investment, and energy leadership.
Kenny Pfannenstiel is cofounder and COO of Big Dog Solar, a privately owned solar energy company operating in Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, and Oregon.
