Published: September 12, 2025
What Happened at All-In Summit
At the All-In Summit 2025 in Los Angeles, CA, the U.S. Energy Secretary addressed an audience of entrepreneurs, policy makers, and clean energy builders. The focus: solar energy’s role in reducing reliance on centralized grids, major support for rooftop deployments, and the urgency to adopt distributed generation. USSE founder Tanner Timbrook was there live, absorbing both the energy on stage and the conversations backstage.
1. A Quote to Remember
— U.S. Energy Secretary, Sept 2025 (stage remarks)
That statement sparked debate — but at the same summit, the Secretary also acknowledged that buildings are a “natural place” for solar, and emphasized that rooftop and building-integrated solar must be part of the mix if we’re going to reduce dependence on aging grids and avoid costly transmission upgrades. (Wheeling policies, permitting, and local incentives are the leverage points to make that happen.)
2. Why Rooftop Solar Matters More Than Ever
Buildings consume over 40% of U.S. energy. Rooftop solar (and solar integrated into building surfaces) lets property owners generate locally, reduce transmission losses, and relieve peak-load stress on the grid.
By placing solar on rooftops, businesses can hedge energy cost inflation, lock in more predictable pricing, and avoid being subject to some of the grid’s vulnerabilities (storms, blackouts, long transmission disruptions).
3. Tanner Timbrook’s Unique Takeaway
Tanner was able to attend the Secretary’s rooftop solar session, meet founders hustling on novel panel materials, battery integration, and community solar models. He came away convinced USSE must double down on our PPA-first approach to make solar installations as cost-effective and low-friction as possible for building owners.
Conversations at the Summit reinforced several industry truths: permitting remains a blocker; incentive uncertainty shakes investor confidence; but demand from businesses and real estate owners is stronger than it’s ever been.
4. What You Should Do if You Own or Lease a Building
- Get your rooftop or building surfaces evaluated for solar potential now — use interval-metered consumption data for accuracy.
- Explore local & federal incentives that favor building-integrated solar. Roof-rights, tax credits, and expedited permitting can move the needle.
- Consider a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) to shift upfront costs to solar providers while locking in energy savings.
- Act quickly — incentives adjust, permitting delays worsen, and the window to lock favorable financing is shrinking.
Make the Summit’s Message Real
USSE is ready to help you assess your building, map rooftop potential, and craft cost-efficient PPA offers that bring solar into your electricity strategy — before incentives tighten or permitting gets slower.
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