Since the IRA, the solar industry has added 75 gigawatts of new capacity to the grid – representing 36% of all solar capacity.

Why it’s important: The rapid growth of the solar industry comes as solar and wind are expected to lead the growth of power generation over the next two years and as the Biden administration has prioritized domestically produced solar energy to compete with Chinese solar companies. However, America’s manufacturing capacity continues to lags significantly behind China, with the communist state’s capacity set to reach 1,100 GW per year by the end of 2024. Additionally, a second Trump administration could throw a wrench in further solar investment as the former president has pledged to halt all spending under the IRA.

“The solar and storage industry is turning federal clean energy policy into action by rapidly creating jobs and driving economic growth in all 50 states, especially in battleground states like Arizona, Nevada and Georgia,” SEIA President and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper said in a written statement. “We are now producing historic amounts of solar energy in America, and soon we will have enough domestic module production to supply nearly all of American demand for years to come.”

However, residential solar has seen continued decline, with only 1.1 gigawatts installed in the second quarter – down 10% quarter-on-quarter and 37% year-on-year. California is driving this decline due to political changes in the state, along with nationally high interest rates. Read more from Nancy here.

Welcome to Daily on energywritten by Washington Examiner Energy and environmental writer Nancy Wu (@NancyVu99). Email nancy.vu@washingtonexaminer dot com for tips, suggestions, calendar items and anything else. If a friend sent you this and you want to sign up, click here. If registration doesn’t work, send us an email and we’ll add you to our list.

AN EV BILL DURING HOUSE GOP’S CHINA WEEK: House Republicans are spending this week voting on bills that are tough on China — and that includes a measure to prevent Chinese-sourced electric vehicles from receiving federal incentives.

A little background: In May, the Ministry of Finance and Energy final regulations which would give automakers a reprieve on mineral supply requirements — and acknowledge that producers would need years to compete with Chinese firms. Although the rules would leave only 20% of EVs eligible for the incentive, a number of China hawks criticized the Biden administration for what they claim are loopholes that would allow China to receive US federal funds.

A bill introduced by Rep. Carol Miller would try to close these loopholes. Specifically legislation would deny credits for electric cars made with battery components from a foreign actor – which includes countries such as China, Russia or North Korea. The measure will also require the Treasury Department to align its definition of an FEOC with that of the Commerce Department. Republicans argue that the Treasury Department’s definition was more favorable to China and that a foreign billionaire could benefit from the EV subsidies as long as their ties to the Chinese Communist Party or other governments were not made official.

The bill will be considered in the House Rules Committee on Monday and is expected to be considered later this week.

GULF OIL MAJORS PREPARE FOR FRANCINE: Oil and gas producers in the Gulf of Mexico are evacuating personnel and limiting drilling in preparation for Tropical Storm Francine, as the weather system blows through the South.

The companies that change course: According to ReutersExxon Mobil said it halted production and has moved personnel from its Hoover offshore production platform. Shell announced it would suspend drilling at its Perdido and Whale offshore platforms as the storm rides through the area. Chevron and Occidental Petroleum also announced plans in preparation for the storm.

Why it’s important: The storm is moving through Texas and Louisiana at menacing speeds – and would put liquefied natural gas facilities and export facilities at risk. Offshore facilities in the Gulf account for approximately 15% of total US crude oil and 2% of natural gas production. Read more here.

EXCLUSIVE – CASSIDY AND CAPITO ARE HONORED AT LAMP SUMMIT: Republican Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Shelley Moore Capito in West Virginia this week will be presented with the Joseph Rainey Empowered Leadership Award, a lifetime achievement award, during the LAMP National Summit hosted by the Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy.

The awards come as both senators have pushed legislation regarding energy security and energy independence in Congress. Capito is the current ranking member on the Environment and Public Works Committee, while Cassidy currently sits on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Several other notable guests are expected to attend this week’s summit, including South Carolina’s lieutenant governor Pamela Evetteformer Capitol Police Chief Steven Sundformer EPA administrator Andrew Wheelertechnical founder Nate MorrisUtah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner, and Republican representatives. Debbie Lesko of Arizona and Chuck Edwards of North Carolina.

Sarah Hunt, president of the Rainey Center, said Cassidy and Capito “have worked tirelessly for the principles that we believe in.”

SPOTTED: BILL ON THE HILL: Cassidy is considering backing his foreign pollution tax measure by publishing a new video highlights voters’ concerns about China, as the bill struggles to find Republican support.

The diets: The Louisiana Republican spoke to local voters in Washington about his bill, which would impose a tax on products imported from countries with high greenhouse gas emissions — namely China — and aims to protect domestic manufacturers from competition from China and other nations with laxer environmental standards. While explaining his bill to voters, he framed the measure as fighting jobs from flowing overseas, cutting emissions and hitting China economically to prevent it from beefing up its military.

“My foreign polluter levy (law) begins to hold China accountable for their lack of environmental standards,” Cassidy said. “It will level the playing field, bring jobs back to the United States and give China less money to build up its military. It’s a win, win, win instead of lose, lose, lose.”

The reactions: The people in the video appeared to support the measure,

“This is wonderful – I don’t know one person who wants more jobs to come to China,” said one voter.

However: Cassidy will also need the support of his Republican colleagues to help move the bill. But a number of conservatives are skeptical of any measure that could be characterized as a carbon tax, which they argue would raise costs and contradict Republican messages about inflation.

Although this is the first GOP proposal that would intertwine climate change policy with trade through carbon adjustment fees, Cassidy has insisted it is not a carbon tax.

The other Republican on the bill: Late. Lindsey Graham.

CUT

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Callie Patteson contributed to this newsletter.