First Solar shines after early GOP tax plan extends rollback of renewable benefits
Clean energy stocks rally after key incentives survive the latest draft — for now.
First Solar shares jumped 21% Tuesday, heading for their best day since 2024 after a draft GOP tax plan was less harsh on renewables incentives than expected.
To be fair, the proposal does strip major clean energy perks from the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act, but stops short of an immediate full repeal. Instead, the 30% tax credits that have powered clean energy growth would start to phase out in 2029. Consumers will also lose access to the $7,500 EV tax credits by the end of 2026.
Still, the slower rollback is better-than-expected news for First Solar, the largest US solar panel maker. The company could also benefit from new restrictions on imports from so-called “foreign entities of concern,” likely aimed at its biggest rivals in China. The rally spread across the sector on Tuesday, with Sunrun up 16% while wind turbine maker Vestas Wind Systems jumped nearly 10%.
First Solar shares have now turned positive for the year.