Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a critical tool in energy policy work, according to PJ Wilson, who argues that solar and storage advocates must fully embrace AI to remain competitive in regulatory debates. Wilson described how AI systems helped him analyze 173 regulatory filings in a major integrated resource plan proceeding, identifying key issues related to distributed solar, battery storage, and virtual power plant proposals in a fraction of the time traditional methods would require. Using advanced AI tools, his team was able to summarize complex utility modeling, verify cost assumptions, and generate draft legal interventions for regulatory submission, with human experts reviewing outputs for accuracy. Wilson said AI also helped streamline fundraising decisions by clarifying which issues required deeper legal engagement. He emphasized that AI is already widely used in the energy sector, including by fossil fuel stakeholders, and argued that renewable energy advocates risk falling behind without similar capabilities. His experience reflects a broader shift in which AI is increasingly integrated into regulatory analysis, policy drafting, and energy system planning.
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