Clean energy groups take on Perry’s grid study, conclude renewables do not harm grid

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The AEE and AWEA aim to answer the same questions asked by energy secretary Perry about the reliability and market rules of the US electric power grid in his 60-day review. Source: Flickr/ Gerry Machen

In the wake of Rick Perry’s Department of Energy investigation into the effect of renewable energy integration on the grid, two clean energy lobbyist groups have released similar analysis.

The Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) and the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) jointly commissioned a report that aims to answer the same questions asked by energy secretary Perry about the reliability and market rules of the US electric power grid in his 60-day review.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The study concludes that there is “no evidence” that a renewable energy power mix endangers grid reliability. When news of Perry’s impending study broke, clean energy advocates were concerned the analysis would rule in favour of fossil fuels, considering president Trump’s affinity for such technologies. Doubts were also cast as to the future of the US wind and solar industries; especially when budget leaks revealed cuts to renewable energy before the results of the study were even released

The new report finds however that low-priced natural gas is the technology that bears most of a threat to coal-fired power plants, not renewable energy. An overall low national demand for electricity is also a key contributor to closure of coal and nuclear plants. This leaves state and federal policies pertaining to renewables much lesser factors in their demise.  

“Recently, some have raised concerns that current electric market conditions may be undermining the financial viability of certain conventional power plant technologies (like existing coal and nuclear units) and thus jeopardizing electric system reliability. In addition, some point to federal and state policies supporting renewable energy as a primary cause of such impacts,” states the report. “The evidence does not support this view.”

The report commissioned by the AEE and AWEA follows the bodies, together with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), sending a letter to Perry urging him to “initiate a public process” and let his study be conducted in an open and transparent manner. This analysis is their answer to providing commentary and recommendations open for public comment.

Perry’s study, set to be completed this summer, will be open to public comment then.

Overall, the parties concluded that increased renewable generation if anything made the grid more resilient: “We believe that, taken together, these reports demonstrate that the US electric power system is more diverse in its energy sources than ever before, and due to the flexible way these resources are now managed, becoming more reliable and resilient as a result.”

The full report can be viewed here

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.
16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2027 and beyond.

Read Next

June 26, 2025
A round-up of news from the US solar sector this week, including Akuo, Meta and RWE.
June 26, 2025
A group of minority shareholders in Norwegian silicon firm REC Silicon has triggered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the closure of the company’s US polysilicon production site.
June 26, 2025
ACEN has partnered with UPC Renewables to build two renewable projects in Rajasthan and Karnataka, India. 
June 26, 2025
Adapture Renewables and Meta have signed two EAPAs that will see the latter acquire power from a 360MW Texas solar portfolio.
June 25, 2025
First Solar has sold US$311.8 million in tax credits to “a leading financial institution” under the rules set out in the IRA.
June 25, 2025
Spanish energy utility giant Iberdrola has appointed the former CEO of its US renewable energy development subsidiary, Avangrid, as its new head.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
July 2, 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico