Kate Laurensen is a veteran reporter. She started out covering entertainment news for the local city paper before moving up to the City desk. She studied journalism at San Francisco City College for the Arts.
July 12 , 2026
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump vetoed legislation on Tuesday that would have expanded the use of balcony-mounted solar panels, saying the measure was unnecessary because an impending solar eclipse would temporarily reduce sunlight anyway. Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight for a short time, though they do not make solar panels permanently stop working.
In remarks that were sharply critical of the Green agenda, Trump argued that the eclipse showed the limits of renewable energy policy and used the moment to mock Democrats. The statement came as scientists note that solar panels can still generate electricity during an eclipse, just at reduced levels because sunlight is partially blocked rather than eliminated for the entire day.
Energy experts say the effect of an eclipse on rooftop or balcony solar systems is temporary and predictable, and grid operators typically plan for the dip in solar generation.
The veto is likely to set up another clash over energy policy, with supporters of balcony solar arguing the technology remains useful for households and renters even under changing weather or shadow conditions.
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