Dozens of energy developers, experts and politicians say there were some highs amid a lot of lows in a roller coaster year for clean energy as President Donald Trump worked to boost polluting fuels while stymying wind and solar. Surveyed by The Associated Press, many described 2025 as a turbulent and challenging one for clean energy, though there was progress as projects connected to the electric grid. They said clean energy will have to further ramp up in 2026 and beyond to meet a skyrocketing demand for electricity to power data centers and to lower the cost of Americans’ utility bills. Solar builder and operator Jorge Vargas says it has been a very tough year for clean energy.
