Energy Tax Credits Crucial to S.C. Economic Growth
Aaron Davis/FireFly Solar
As a South Carolina-based solar company, Firefly Solar is proud to be part of our state’s growing clean energy economy. We’re hiring locally, building regional supply chains, and helping families and businesses take control of their energy costs. But the growth we—and so many others—are experiencing isn’t happening by accident. It’s happening because of smart, stable policy.
That’s why I’m urging Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott to help protect the clean energy tax credits established under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These incentives are driving real investments, creating real jobs, and powering real economic growth right here in South Carolina.
At Firefly Solar, we are investing in South Carolina’s future every day—through workforce development, infrastructure improvements, and expanding access to clean, reliable solar power. These are good jobs—stable, skilled work in installation, engineering, sales, and support—and they wouldn’t be possible without the federal tax credits that help make solar affordable and projects viable.
In the face of rising interest rates and higher material costs, these tax credits are the lifeline that keeps projects moving forward. They level the playing field, encourage private investment, and ensure companies like ours can continue to grow even as economic pressures increase. If lawmakers roll back those incentives now, then solar companies across South Carolina—and our employees—will feel the pain immediately.
South Carolina has a chance to be a national leader in clean energy. We have the sun, the talent, and the entrepreneurial spirit to make it happen. But we also need certainty. Businesses like ours need to plan years ahead to stay successful. When policies change unpredictably or incentives are cut short, it chills investment and slows down momentum we’ve worked hard to build.
The clean energy tax credits in the IRA aren’t about Washington—they’re about Main Street. They’re helping South Carolina homeowners lower their utility bills. They’re giving small businesses new tools to manage costs, reduce energy consumption, and stay competitive. And they’re powering a homegrown clean energy industry that’s putting people to work in every corner of the state.
I appreciate the leadership both Senators Graham and Scott have shown on economic development and job creation. As Congress continues making federal budget decisions, they should look closely at what’s happening right here at home. South Carolina’s clean energy sector is growing stronger
by the day, and federal tax policy—including the IRA’s energy tax credits—plays a big role in that success. Let’s keep it going.
Solar companies like Firefly—and others across the state—are ready to keep investing in South Carolina. We’re ready to hire more, build more, and power more communities across the state with more reliable, cleaner, and lower-cost energy. But we can’t do it without the long-term certainty that the IRA’s energy tax credits provide.
Our senators and all of Congress must work to protect and preserve these clean energy provisions. Our workers, our businesses, and our future depend on it.
Aaron Davis is founder and CEO of FireFly Solar in Greenville.
