SunVest Solar, a Chicago-based solar energy company, navigated a tumultuous year in 2025. The company's fortunes were largely influenced by the withdrawal of federal tax credits for renewable energy sectors under President Donald Trump's administration. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act significantly gutted support for solar and wind power.
In response to this uncertainty, SunVest Solar accelerated its project timelines, purchasing equipment and panels three to five years in advance. This resulted in a substantial working capital drain and necessitated the company raising funds. CEO Bram Walters described this as creating "tremendous undue strain on the business."
Industry-wide, high-profile solar companies faced bankruptcy due to factors like rising interest rates, increased costs, and unfavorable policies. Notably, North Carolina-based Pine Gate Renewables and Houston-based Sunnova experienced such setbacks.
Despite these challenges, SunVest Solar remained optimistic about its prospects. The company was able to start 100 megawatts of projects in 2025, enough to power approximately 20,000 homes, and plans to increase construction starts by more than 50% this year.
Walters emphasized the significance of long-term growth potential for solar energy due to the immense demand for renewable sources, particularly among data centers. The CEO expressed confidence that addressing policy uncertainty would be crucial for sustained business success.
Key to SunVest Solar's future lies in expanding into new markets and embracing emerging technologies like batteries, which can help mitigate the variability of solar energy output. In Illinois, where SunVest remains its largest market, policymakers have taken steps to support electrical grid battery projects through incentives.
The company's outlook is tempered by concerns over tariffs imposed on imported solar panels, resulting in increased costs for renewable energy sources. Walters noted that these trade policies create significant challenges but also underscore the need for sustained investment in clean energy technologies.
In response to this uncertainty, SunVest Solar accelerated its project timelines, purchasing equipment and panels three to five years in advance. This resulted in a substantial working capital drain and necessitated the company raising funds. CEO Bram Walters described this as creating "tremendous undue strain on the business."
Industry-wide, high-profile solar companies faced bankruptcy due to factors like rising interest rates, increased costs, and unfavorable policies. Notably, North Carolina-based Pine Gate Renewables and Houston-based Sunnova experienced such setbacks.
Despite these challenges, SunVest Solar remained optimistic about its prospects. The company was able to start 100 megawatts of projects in 2025, enough to power approximately 20,000 homes, and plans to increase construction starts by more than 50% this year.
Walters emphasized the significance of long-term growth potential for solar energy due to the immense demand for renewable sources, particularly among data centers. The CEO expressed confidence that addressing policy uncertainty would be crucial for sustained business success.
Key to SunVest Solar's future lies in expanding into new markets and embracing emerging technologies like batteries, which can help mitigate the variability of solar energy output. In Illinois, where SunVest remains its largest market, policymakers have taken steps to support electrical grid battery projects through incentives.
The company's outlook is tempered by concerns over tariffs imposed on imported solar panels, resulting in increased costs for renewable energy sources. Walters noted that these trade policies create significant challenges but also underscore the need for sustained investment in clean energy technologies.