RE+ 2025 Recap: Momentum Returns to the Solar & Storage Market

Like many, I came into the show unsure what the tone would be. The last nine months have felt like the longest two years of my life with legislative chaos, uncertainty, hiring freezes, and a market in wait-and-see mode. But RE+ landed at the right time, and the energy on the floor confirmed it.

The Vibe: Complicated Venue, Strong Momentum

Attendance seemed slightly down, but the reports say 37,000 people made the trip. Not bad, all things considered. Most folks I talked to expressed the same frustration about the venue. The Venetian halls are a maze, the downstairs setup was rough, and trying to find people across the sprawl of the event space was challenging at times.  But like it or not, it looks like we’re coming back here for the next few years. Time to adapt.

Despite the layout, the mood was strong. Yes, a lot of companies are still feeling the pain from policy shifts. But the conversations were active, and people were there to get deals done, and some serious deals were getting done in the meeting rooms.

A Market Starting to Move Again

The market freezes when legislation changes. Companies pause hiring. Investors pause funding. Projects stall. Everyone waits for clarity. And while we might not love the final rules, we finally have some. That clarity has opened the door.

Conversations about safe harboring were everywhere. Buyers are trying to lock in tax credits while they can. Multiple people described it as a mini gold rush and that doesn’t feel far off.  Big purchases are being made to safe harbor projects.

If I had a dollar for every time someone mentioned “safe harbor” or “FEOC” at this show, I would have wasted it at the blackjack table anyway.

The safe harbor deadline is accelerating activity. Companies are trying to push forward projects to hit ITC deadlines. Energy storage and utility-scale solar are leading the charge. There’s a lot of action happening behind the scenes, and it’s not just window shopping. People are transacting.

FEOC: The Elephant in the Room

The other common theme? FEOC. Everyone’s talking about it. Most people are optimistic they’ll be able to navigate or work around the restrictions. I do not share that optimism.

This administration has shown every sign that it plans to take the hardest possible stance on FEOC compliance. If you’re betting on leniency, I think you’re going to be disappointed.

What’s Next: Storage, Solar, and Strategic Hiring

Utility-scale storage is going to carry the market over the next few years. That much is clear. There’s also a huge push happening in utility-scale solar to build before deadlines hit. And while commercial solar won’t see the same kind of explosion, it still has solid upside—especially when paired with storage.

Residential? Still bumpy.

But companies are hiring again. Not all across the board post-IRA level hiring, but strategically. Key leadership roles. Project-critical hires. Positions tied to growth. The market is still cautious, but the wheels are turning.

Final Thoughts

RE+ is always one of my favorite weeks of the year. This one was no different. I walked away reminded of just how resilient our industry is. Despite the policy noise, the market is moving. Deals are getting done. Teams are being built. Energy is shifting forward.

One last thing, shoutout to the team at Fractal EMS for my new favorite shirt.  The entire team laughed at me when I wore it to the first meeting when I got back.  

Energy Storage for the win (again).