US President Donald Trump has revoked an executive order issued under former President Joe Biden, which enlisted solar photovoltaic (PV) components and electrolysers under the Defense Production Act (DPA). The DPA grants the President authority to expand and expedite the domestic supply of critical materials and services for national security.
In the order, Trump stated that the rescission aligns with the administration’s goal of “restoring common sense to the Federal Government and unleashing the potential of American citizens.”
The repeal removes solar PV modules and components, electrolysers, fuel cells, and electric heat pumps from DPA coverage, according to official documents.
Biden had previously authorized the Department of Energy in 2022 to leverage the DPA for accelerating domestic manufacturing of solar components, building insulation, heat pumps, clean fuels equipment, and power grid infrastructure. This initiative was backed by $500 million under the Inflation Reduction Act to support production in these sectors.
Despite the policy shift, solar energy dominated new power generation in the US in 2024, accounting for 81.5% of all new capacity added—nearly nine times the combined capacity of natural gas and nuclear power. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) data also revealed a 50% increase in solar deployment compared to 2023.
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