July Newsletter- The Big Beautiful Bill and Energy Independence
What Does Independence Mean to You?
When we talk about Independence Day, I’m not just thinking about fireworks or barbecues. I’m thinking about something deeper: the freedom to think independently, speak openly, and build something better.
This country isn’t perfect—but the fact that I can send out this newsletter, share my views freely, and work toward the solutions I believe in? That’s powerful. That’s progress.
And here I am, writing this from an off-grid solar and battery system while the grid’s down. A quiet reminder that the spirit of independence is still very much alive.
Big News: The "Big Beautiful Bill" Has Landed
Last week, the president signed the “Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB)—a sweeping budget deal that sharply reduces clean energy incentives. In my world, the effects are immediate and profound. The solar industry just got hit hard.
You can call it the “Big Business Bill.” It delivers wins for oil, gas, and traditional energy players—and a gut punch to solar, wind, and EV sectors. I’m listening to all sides, but I’m also adapting—with a long-game mindset and steady hands.
Solar on the Clock: What the BBB Means for Clean Energy
Congress just passed the Big Beautiful Bill, and it’s creating a new landscape for energy. Here's the solar-specific impact:
Key Points:
Residential Solar Tax Credit Ends Early
The 30% federal tax credit under IRC §25D now ends December 31, 2025. Systems must be fully installed by then to qualify.
Leased Solar No Longer Eligible
Effective immediately, leased systems and third-party PPAs lose all tax credit eligibility. (Crux Climate)
Commercial and Utility-Scale Projects on Deadline
Projects must begin construction by the end of 2026 and complete by 2027 to qualify under IRC §48E.
Domestic Content Requirements Accelerated
Starting in 2026, projects using components from foreign-controlled entities (especially China) will be disqualified from credits. (AP News)
Electric Bills May Rise
Analysts forecast $100–$200 increases in annual household power bills due to the delayed renewable buildout. (Reuters)
Bottom Line: The BBB has accelerated the phase-out of solar incentives, creating a sharp cliff in 2025 for homeowners and a looming deadline for developers. If you’re thinking about going solar or installing batteries, this is the year to act.
How It Happened: Politics in Play
The “Big Beautiful Bill” wasn’t just about dollars—it was a power move.
Trump Sealed the Deal
To secure conservative support, former President Trump promised to crack down further on clean-energy credits, winning over Freedom Caucus holdouts. (Politico) <== *good read!
Clean Energy Advocates Slam the Shift
Industry groups warn the bill may undermine up to 300 GW of planned clean power capacity. (Reuters)
Battery Storage Spared—For Now
Storage tax credits remain until 2033, with a gradual sunset through 2036. (Crux Climate)
Traditional Energy Reclaims Center Stage
Incentives now favor fossil fuels, nuclear, hydrogen, and carbon capture—a dramatic reversal of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
Who Benefits Most? The BBB rewards legacy energy and transitional tech.
Winners
Oil & Gas – Regain market advantage as renewable incentives fade Pipelines & Natural Gas – Benefit from “bridge fuel” status and favorable policy shifts Coal – Faces less regulatory pressure, keeping plants online longer Nuclear – Gains renewed support as a zero-carbon alternative Carbon Capture & Hydrogen – Attract more attention as federal focus shifts from clean generation to “cleaner” fossil fuel tech
Losers
Residential Solar Installers – Reduced incentives cut into customer demand Utility-Scale Renewables – Wind and solar developers lose critical long-term support EV Makers – Less federal backing slows the transition Battery Firms Dependent on Tax Credits – Harder to compete in a tightening market.
All-In Podcast Recap: At 14:10 in Episode 184, the crew breaks down how the Big Beautiful Bill signals a major shift away from federal clean energy support—putting the future of renewables in the hands of states, private capital, and grid-resilient tech.
ROI Snapshot – Small System (w/ & w/o Federal Tax Credit)
What This Tells Us
Payback is still achieved well before halfway through the system’s life.
25-year savings reach $130K–$140K, depending on incentives.
Long-term electricity costs are effectively locked in at $0.00/kWh after break-even.
Value Beyond ROI (Still Applies)
Resilience: Backup power during HECO shutoffs
Independence: Less reliance on imported oil or volatile rates
Environmental Impact: Over 200,000 kWh of clean energy produced
Increased Property Value: Attractive to energy-conscious buyers
Rate Hedge: Protects against $1+/kWh power prices by Year 25
Bottom Line
If you can still benefit.
ROI remains healthy
Payback happens in under a decade
Resilience and savings stack over 25 years
And federal or state tax credits accelerate your return, but don’t define it
Solar in Hawai‘i is more than an investment—it's a power strategy.
MUST READ : 👇 click link for our presidents statement regarding above
Trump's official statement to end fed solar tax credits
“Unreliable” Is a Fossil Fuel Talking Point—Not a Technical Reality
When I read that statement, it is so transparently written by the petro lobby group and copy and pasted for his auto pen.
The Executive Order’s framing of wind and solar as “unreliable” ignores two decades of technological advancement—and it’s dangerously misleading.
Today’s clean energy systems are no longer dependent on the sun shining or the wind blowing at the right moment. They are integrated with:
AI-powered forecasting and dispatch
Grid-forming inverters and VPPs (Virtual Power Plants)
Advanced battery storage (e.g. Tesla Powerwall, FranklinWH, LFP systems)
Real-time load balancing, demand response, and smart home tech
These technologies make solar + storage + software more reliable, faster to deploy, and more decentralized than traditional fossil-based infrastructure.
Labeling renewables “unreliable” while ignoring their modularity, resilience during disasters, and zero fuel risk isn’t just outdated—it’s intellectually dishonest.
My Personal Take
Renewable energy isn’t perfect. The supply chains have flaws. But it’s progress.
What is perfect? That glowing thermonuclear reactor in the sky—the sun. It powers our weather, our food systems, and every living thing. Plants figured out how to harvest it. We’re just learning.
I’ve seen the cost of fossil firsthand—the coal fields of Borneo, the destroyed forests, the poisoned air. That’s why I fight the FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) spread by fossil lobbyists.
Not because solar is flawless. But because the alternative is worse.
The value of solar is still there. ROI is still there
The Irony Isn’t Lost on Me
Right now, as I type this, HECO has shut down the Upcountry Maui grid due to high winds and fire risk. And yet—I'm fine. Solar and battery backup are holding steady. No flicker, no stress. Meanwhile, just down the road, my father-in-law's lights are on too—powered by a Cummins propane generator from King Power.
Different tools. Same goal: resilience when the grid fails.
That’s the future. Not ideology. Not one-size-fits-all. Just solutions that work—solar, batteries, generators, hybrid systems. Whatever it takes to keep families safe and homes powered.
Thanks for reading.
Stay resilient. Stay independent. Stay grounded. Stay informed.
If this resonated, forward it to a friend—and if you’ve got questions or want to talk energy, I’m here to help.
We’re all in this together.
-Shaun
Crude Oil, Gas & Maui Electricity Trends
Global Oil Prices
Brent Crude: ~$70.18/barrel
WTI (U.S. benchmark): ~$68.16/barrel (link here)
Oil has rebounded from recent lows, driven by tightening supply forecasts and renewed Middle East tensions (link here). OPEC+ plans to add another 548,000 bpd in August, maintaining upward pressure on markets (link here).
Maui Gas Prices
Regular Unleaded: ~$4.11/gal
Diesel: ~$5.25/gal (Source: Maui GasBuddy)
Hawai‘i Residential Electricity Rates
Your HECO rates have been volatile—but consistently high. Residential electricity has hovered around $0.41/kWh, dipping slightly late in 2024 and climbing again in early 2025. See the chart below.
Why it matters: Our electricity costs reflect global oil fluctuations and our island’s infrastructure limits. That’s your cue for solar + battery systems—they offer a smart hedge against volatility and rising prices.
