Survey Reveals GOP Voter Support for Solar Energy
A recent poll commissioned by First Solar shows that a slight majority of right-leaning voters, specifically 51%, support the use of utility-scale solar energy. Meanwhile, 30% oppose it, and 19% remain undecided. The survey was conducted by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates.
Interestingly, support for solar energy jumps to 70% when respondents learned that the solar panels would be made in America and not sourced from China.
Additionally, the survey indicates that 52% of GOP-aligned voters are more likely to support Congressional candidates who advocate for a diverse energy agenda and the establishment of solar manufacturing in the U.S.
Insights from the Poll
The survey included 800 participants who identified as Republicans, independent voters leaning Republican, and Trump supporters. Notably, 68% of respondents agreed that all types of electricity generation, including solar, are essential to decrease electricity costs.
When the focus shifts to American-made solar, those who strongly back it more than doubles from 17% to 36%. A large majority, 79%, believe that all forms of electricity generation should be able to compete fairly in the market without political interference.
This poll comes at a time when the solar industry is facing challenges due to actions taken by the current administration, such as cuts to clean energy subsidies, resulting in delays and potential declines in new solar capacity from 2026 to 2030.
First Solar, the largest U.S. solar manufacturer, aims to ramp up its production despite trading challenges and aims to reach an annual manufacturing capacity of over 21 gigawatts.
First Solar’s polling may signal a disconnect between the energy policies of the Trump administration and the preferences of voters who supported him. The company stresses that GOP voters seek energy independence and affordable electricity, and they see utility-scale solar energy as vital to achieving these goals.
“It’s time for us to focus on what’s important for our country — a sensible approach to power generation that utilizes all available resources,” said Samantha Sloan, First Solar’s Executive Vice President.