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WASHINGTON D.C. — Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), is transitioning from the organization after a nine-year tenure that reshaped the U.S. solar and storage industry into a national powerhouse.
Hopper’s effective departure date is January 30, 2026, and SEIA’s board of directors is now beginning an executive search process.
“Abby has been a steadfast, visionary leader through many of the most challenging moments we have ever faced as an industry,” said Darren Van’t Hof, chair of SEIA’s board of directors. “Under Abby’s leadership, the U.S. solar industry has experienced over 600% growth and emerged as an economic juggernaut that is the leading source of new power in this country. I am confident that, because of Abby’s steady hand, SEIA and our industry have the foundation for continued success in the years to come.”
“Abby’s leadership has been nothing short of transformational,” said George Hershman, former SEIA board chair. “She has led with vision, empathy, and strength, turning obstacles into opportunities and leaving behind an organization that’s more resilient, inclusive, and effective than ever.”
“Leading SEIA and serving this community has been one of the great honors of my professional life,” said Hopper in a letter to the industry. “When I came to SEIA in 2017, we were an emerging industry with incredible potential. Today, we are a cornerstone of America’s energy economy, an economic engine, a beacon of technology and innovation, and an industry with limitless potential for growth.”
As SEIA president and CEO, Hopper has helped lead the U.S. solar and storage industry in a new era of scale and impact. During her tenure, the industry grew from 36 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity to over 255 GW and expanded from $16 billion in annual investment to over $70 billion. During Hopper’s tenure, the United States climbed from 14th to 3rd in the world in solar manufacturing. Hopper has been a driving force behind the industry’s biggest policy wins, bringing clarity, advocacy and organizational expertise to these fights.
Hopper oversaw new initiatives that advanced the industry’s maturity and inclusivity, including the Solar Sisters network, as well as launching key institutions like the Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2) and SEIA’s storage advocacy arm. She also led efforts to bolster the professionalism and integrity of our industry, including new initiatives on supply chain traceability, recycling, land use, and consumer protection.
As SEIA embarks on its next chapter, the organization is well-positioned to build on nearly a decade of unprecedented growth and lead America’s future with clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
About SEIA®:
The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and solar + storage industries, building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org and follow @SEIA on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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