On 5 December in New York, SESAMm was selected to take part in The BIG Alternative Data Showcase Event, one of the major events focused on alternative data applied to the asset management industry. Organised by our partner Eagle Alpha, this very first step in the US market for SESAMm represented a unique opportunity: to bring our expertise and solutions to the biggest asset managers globally.

Since September, SESAMm’s business has been growing steadily. In addition to the ongoing discussions we have with several significant asset managers, two major groups have signed a contract with us: one of the top 5 asset managers in Japan that has more than $100 billion of assets under management; and one of the top 10 asset managers in France with more than $50 billion under management.

In addition to this great news, we recently signed partnerships with two major data providers in the USA, one of them with Eagle Alpha. Shortly after our agreement, from a list of 450 data vendors, Eagle Alpha selected 12 of them to be part of the BIG Alternative Data Showcase Event, SESAMm being the only French company chosen. This event in New York City represents the biggest one globally on alternative data applied to asset management. That was an opportunity for our company to present for the very first time L’Humeur des Marchés and our expertise in the United States.

Sponsored by Deloitte, Lowenstein Sandler, S&P Global Market Intelligence and CRUX, Eagle Alpha’s event showed us how unique and exceptional the US market is in terms of business opportunities for SESAMm. Gathering renown international hedge funds, investment banks but also major companies from other sectors with needs in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis, this event proved to be one of the most interesting and exciting we have attended so far.

Following this event, with the multiple contacts and leads for both partnerships and business contracts that have been gathered, our journey home only strengthens our intention to plan future business trips in the United States and our entry on this market.

Major solar manufacturers are suspending or reconsidering their expansion plans following recent policy changes that dramatically reduce renewable energy incentives, signaling a significant blow to America's clean energy manufacturing ambitions and raising questions about the United States' energy transition goals.

Manufacturing Plans on Hold

The impact is already visible across the sector, with several key players halting investments. According to Reuters reporting, Singapore-based Bila Solar is suspending plans to double capacity at its Indianapolis factory. Canadian manufacturer Heliene's plans for a Minnesota solar cell facility are under review, and Norwegian solar wafer maker NorSun is evaluating whether to proceed with their planned facility expansion.

Policy Triggers

The manufacturing slowdown comes in direct response to significant policy developments. First, the residential solar tax credit (Investment Tax Credit) is being eliminated after December 31, 2025.

Second, Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" introduces accelerated phase-out requirements for renewable energy tax credits, requiring projects to begin construction within a year and enter service within four years to qualify for incentives, dramatically shortened from previous timelines.

Economic Implications

The policy shifts threaten substantial economic investments across the renewable energy sector. Wood Mackenzie forecasts that U.S. solar installations will decline 1% annually through the next decade, with residential solar facing a potential 46% capacity drop by 2030.

This comes at a critical time for the U.S. power infrastructure. ICF projects 25% growth in electricity demand by 2030, driven largely by AI and cloud computing expansion. The REPEAT Project, a collaboration between Princeton University and Evolved Energy Research, warns that tighter electricity supplies could increase household electricity costs by $280 annually by 2035.

Industry Response

While some manufacturers have paused expansion plans, as documented by Reuters, the industry response varies. Companies must now navigate an uncertain policy environment while balancing long-term strategic goals against short-term economic realities. SEIA's Solar Market Insight Report indicates that policy uncertainty and rising costs due to tariffs are contributing factors in the sector's cautious approach to new investments.

Looking Forward

The reshaping of US clean energy manufacturing represents a significant shift in the industry landscape. The pullback raises important questions about America's ability to build domestic manufacturing capacity for renewable technologies and reduce reliance on imports, a stated goal across the political spectrum that now faces new challenges in implementation.

For the broader energy transition, this manufacturing uncertainty coincides with unprecedented electricity demand growth, potentially creating supply-demand imbalances that could affect both energy security and consumer costs in the coming decade.

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