Why it matters

Grid interconnection reform is now central to SMA Solar Technology AG‘s U.S. lobbying strategy as the company shifts from tax-credit advocacy to tackling physical bottlenecks that keep projects offline.

By the numbers

  • 2024: $46,250 spent on in-house lobbying focused on tax credits
  • 2025: Added Williams & Jensen PLLC, a firm with $150+ million in fees since 2003

The lobbying team

Broader context

Congress and grid operators warn of rising reliability risks as data centers and other large loads grow. Regional operators have flagged as much as 52 gigawatts of plant retirements, and estimates show data centers could use a substantial share of U.S. electricity by 2028. The average clean energy project can take roughly five years to connect to the grid.

The agenda

SMA is explicitly targeting permitting reform and grid interconnection rules, including FERC regulations and federal permitting processes. The company says these are the physical barriers that limit the value of tax incentives and slow renewable deployment.

Competitive landscape

SMA enters a crowded advocacy field: the Solar Energy Industries Association spent heavily on similar issues in 2025, and competitors like Siemens Corp. and Tesla Inc. are active on inverters, permitting and storage policies.

Between the lines

Legislative pressure is mounting: the GRID Power Act would require FERC to reform interconnection queues, and recent hearings such as “Keeping the Lights on: Examining the State of Regional Grid Reliability.” have highlighted multi-year queue waits. Lawmakers also raised supply-chain and security concerns about inverter sourcing in recent communications.

The bottom line

SMA’s move to hire a heavyweight lobbying firm signals that, for many solar companies, tax incentives are insufficient if projects cannot physically reach the grid. Expect fights over interconnection rules, FERC action, and permitting reform to intensify.

c

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article