The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) have agreed to combine their organizations, creating a single national trade association representing all segments of the US solar and energy storage industry.

The combination, approved by the boards of directors of both organizations, will become effective in early October, when CCSA will integrate its team, resources and policy work into SEIA.

The move will expand SEIA’s representation across utility-scale, residential, commercial and community solar, as well as energy storage. According to the organizations, the combined entity will be the only national trade association representing every segment of the solar and storage industry.

Founded in 1974, SEIA is the largest national trade association for the US solar and storage industry, with a long-standing presence across utility-scale, commercial and residential markets. CCSA, meanwhile, has spent the past decade representing community solar and storage developers, businesses and nonprofits.

A unified voice for solar and storage

Tim Pawlenty, CEO of SEIA, said the integration would create a “stronger, more unified voice” for the solar and storage industry and strengthen its ability to advocate for every segment of the market.

The combination will bring together SEIA’s work on state and federal energy policy with CCSA’s experience in community solar and distributed energy resources, expanding the organization’s ability to shape policy and market priorities across the country.

Jeff Cramer, departing CEO of CCSA, said the growth of distributed community power has increased the need for greater scale, resources and expertise to support the sector.

“A little more than a decade ago, CCSA was formed to create greater access to solar for all Americans,” Cramer said, adding that distributed community power has become an increasingly important option for addressing affordability and grid reliability.

Solar and storage account for more than 70% of new capacity in 2026

The integration comes as solar and storage continue to expand their role in the US electricity system. According to the organizations, the two technologies have accounted for more than 70% of new capacity added to the US grid so far in 2026.

Energy storage also recorded its largest quarter on record in Q2 2026, while the United States continues to expand domestic solar and storage manufacturing.

By bringing CCSA into SEIA, the combined organization aims to strengthen its advocacy at both the state and federal levels, covering the full spectrum of solar and storage deployment, from large-scale projects to residential, commercial and community installations.