Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), will step down from her position on January 30, 2026, after a nine-year tenure that helped reshape the U.S. solar and storage industry into a national powerhouse. SEIA’s board of directors has already begun the search for her successor, according to the association.

During her time at the helm, Hopper guided SEIA through a period of extraordinary growth and transformation. Under her leadership, the U.S. solar industry expanded from 36 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity to more than 255 GW, while annual investments surged from $16 billion to over $70 billion. The United States also climbed from 14th to 3rd globally in solar manufacturing capacity, reflecting the sector’s increasing scale and competitiveness.

“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.”

George Hershman, former SEIA board chair, added: “Abby’s leadership has been nothing short of transformational. 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.”

In a letter to the industry, Hopper reflected on her years at SEIA, calling the experience “one of the great honors” of her professional life. “When I came to SEIA in 2017, we were an emerging industry with incredible potential,” she said. “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.”

According to SEIA, Hopper played a central role in advancing landmark policy victories for the sector, strengthening the association’s advocacy and organizational capacity. She also championed initiatives that enhanced the industry’s inclusivity and professionalism, including the Solar Sisters network, the creation of the Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2), and SEIA’s dedicated storage advocacy arm.

Her tenure also saw the launch of new efforts focused on supply chain traceability, recycling, land use, and consumer protection, laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and transparent industry.

As SEIA prepares for its next chapter, the association emphasized that it is well positioned to build on nearly a decade of unprecedented growth and continue leading America’s clean energy transition with reliable, affordable, and low-carbon power.