Clean energy in South Carolina — and across the Southeast — is something I think about every single day, so I’ll be honest: when I first heard that renewable energy executives were spending millions against politicians who oppose solar and wind, I had mixed feelings. I’m not someone who loves big money in politics. But here from my office in Greenwood, SC, working with homeowners across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia every day, I’ve come to a simple conclusion: we need every calorie of energy available to us.
That means fossil fuels. Nuclear. Natural gas. Wind, solar, and renewables of all kinds. And if someone invents a new kind of power tomorrow, we need that, too. So when I read that some politicians are actively fighting against safe, affordable energy options — especially when government incentives are on the table — it just doesn’t add up to me.
The Political Fight Over Clean Energy in South Carolina Just Got Real
A political action committee called the Invest in Tomorrow Coalition spent $1.7 million against Rep. Chip Roy, who had been pushing hard to end renewable energy tax incentives. Roy lost his bid for Texas attorney general, and now those same donors have pledged at least $15 million ahead of the midterm elections. They’re not stopping with one race.
Just this week, the same PAC claimed another win. They spent $75,000 on ads opposing Rep. Ralph Norman in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary, and he failed to advance to a runoff. Norman had been one of the primary champions of phasing out renewable energy tax credits in last year’s legislative battles. The irony? Norman used to co-chair the Congressional Solar Caucus, and his district has a solar manufacturing plant. Fights like this one directly shape the future of clean energy in South Carolina.
Why This Matters to Homeowners Pursuing Clean Energy in South Carolina
I get it — campaign finance and PAC spending sounds like Washington noise. But here’s why it matters to the folks I work with every day: when politicians push to eliminate tax incentives for solar, they’re actively working against your ability to own your power. Right now, you’re paying Duke Energy or your local utility every single month for electricity you’ll never own. Solar changes that equation completely — it’s about taking control away from the utility and putting it back in your hands.
The state and federal incentives that can significantly offset the cost of going solar — including South Carolina’s 25% state tax credit — only exist because enough elected leaders understand that energy independence matters. When those incentives are threatened, it makes solar less accessible for working families. That’s not theoretical for me. I see it every time I sit down at someone’s kitchen table and run the numbers.
If your home missed the old Duke rate, you can get the #NewOldDukeRate with solar. That means locking in your power costs and taking control for the next 25-plus years. It’s not about being anti-utility. It’s about being pro-ownership.
The “Don’t Mess With Solar” Message
After their wins, the Invest in Tomorrow Coalition launched a new ad campaign with billboards in Washington, at train stations, and airports telling lawmakers “Don’t Mess With Solar”. I love that message — not because I’m partisan, but because it’s true. Solar works. It creates jobs. It lowers power bills for families. And in my service area across SC, NC, and GA, I’ve seen it transform how people think about their monthly expenses.
One of the PAC’s leaders put it bluntly when talking about their strategy: “We want other politicians to put a number next to their attacks on industry and say, ‘If I attack this industry they will put in money against me.'” That sounds harsh, but here’s my take: if we’re going to have big money in politics anyway — and we do — I’d rather see it defending clean energy in South Carolina than limiting the options families have.
All-of-the-Above Energy Is the Only Path Forward
I’m not saying solar is the only answer. We need baseload power from nuclear and natural gas. We need the grid to be stable and reliable. But when safe, proven technology like solar is available, and when it can be subsidized to help families afford it, why on earth would any politician fight against that? We should be fighting for every option, not picking winners and losers based on ideology.
The same goes for homeowners. If you’re thinking about solar, this is the time. And if your roof needs replacement anyway, it’s the perfect opportunity — one loan, one decision, one project that sets you up for decades of savings. I’ve worked with families who were on the fence for years, and the ones who finally pulled the trigger almost always tell me they wish they’d done it sooner.
Let’s Talk About Your Energy Future
Look, I don’t expect everyone to agree with me on campaign finance or which politicians should win elections. But I do think most people can agree on this: we need more energy, not less. We need more options, not fewer. And we need leaders who support all safe forms of power production — especially when those options put more money back in your pocket every month.
If you’ve been thinking about solar, or if you’re just curious what it would look like for your home, I’d love to chat. The future of clean energy in South Carolina depends on homeowners like you making informed choices, and every conversation starts the same way: with your goals, your roof, and your power bill. We serve homeowners all across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia — no pressure, no gimmicks — just honest numbers and a pathway to ownership. You can reach me anytime at chat.lakelandspower.com or give me a call at 864-275-7328. Let’s see if solar makes sense for you.