GOP Voters Agree: Solar is Good for America
- Samantha Sloan, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, First Solar
Americans increasingly agree that we need more affordable, reliable energy to meet rapidly growing demand — and we need it fast. There is broad support for an all‑of‑the‑above energy strategy that brings every dependable source of generation to the table to strengthen our grid and drive down costs.
Yet despite its proven performance at utility scale, solar energy is too often misunderstood — its public perception lagging behind reality, shaped by outdated stereotypes rooted in the environmental movements of decades past rather than its role today as a reliable contributor to the power system. Fortunately, new data shows that bipartisan support for an all-of-the-above energy strategy is rooted in common sense and shared priorities.
A national poll commissioned by First Solar and conducted by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates, has found strong support for utility-scale solar energy among Republicans, Republican-leaning Independents, and voters who supported President Donald J. Trump (“GOP+”). That support among GOP+ voters is bolstered further when solar technology is American made.
As Fabrizio, Lee & Associates pollsters Tony Fabrizio, David Lee, and Travis Tunis, noted: “GOP+ voters want America to have energy independence and for their electric bills to be affordable. They understand that utility solar energy is a key aspect in allowing that to happen, especially when the panels for that solar energy can be made right here in the USA without any ties to China.”
This is an important signal — not just for the energy sector, but for anyone focused on building a more affordable, reliable, and secure American energy system.
GOP Voters Are All-In on All-of-the-Above, with Solar in the Mix
The poll of 800 registered voters reveals widespread support for solar as part of a balanced, all-of-the-above energy strategy.
A majority of GOP+ voters support the use of utility-scale solar energy by a margin of more than 20 points, with 51% in favor and just 30% opposed. Support is even higher for American-made solar.
When voters are told the solar technology is manufactured in American factories, using American materials, and having no ties to China, support rises to 70%, while opposition drops to 19%.
That tells us something important: Domestic manufacturing isn’t a side issue — it’s central to public confidence in American energy.
It’s clear that American voters want energy solutions that:
- Strengthen US supply chains
- Support domestic jobs
- Reduce reliance on foreign sources
Solar, when made in America by American workers with American materials, checks all three boxes.
An All-of-the-Above Energy Reality
The poll shows that Republican voters understand that energy independence and affordability require an energy agenda that allows all forms of power generation to compete on their own merits.
And there’s no ambiguity in what the ‘all’ includes: 68% of GOP+ voters agree the United States needs every available form of electricity generation on our energy grid, including utility-scale solar, to help lower electricity costs and meet growing demand.
This isn’t about politics — it’s about outcomes. These are priorities that resonate across the political spectrum:
- Lower electricity costs
- Greater energy independence
- Stronger domestic manufacturing
Fair Competition and Common-Sense Energy Policy
The poll also shows strong support for letting energy technologies compete on their merits, without political interference.
Nearly eight in ten GOP+ voters (79%) agree that all forms of electricity generation, including utility‑scale solar, should be allowed to compete fairly in the marketplace without political interference.
This reflects a common-sense view: America benefits most when innovation, performance, competitiveness, speed, and reliability drive decisions.
Solar’s continued growth has been driven by exactly that kind of competition — delivering dependable power at competitive costs, while complementing other generation sources on the energy grid.
Energy Policy Is Also Economic Policy
Voters recognize that a common-sense approach to power-generation requires that we deploy all the tools available - including American solar - to generate every electron possible to drive our nation’s growth, prosperity, and energy dominance.
More than half of voters surveyed in the key GOP+ demographic say they are more likely to support congressional candidates who back an all‑of‑the‑above energy approach and who support American companies building solar manufacturing facilities in the United States.
At First Solar, we’ve been manufacturing in the United States for more than two decades, investing billions of dollars in facilities, R&D, domestic supply chains, and American workers. That commitment aligns directly with what voters are asking for today.
Solar Energy Isn’t A Partisan Issue — It’s an American One
The takeaway from this polling is simple and encouraging: There is broad alignment around practical energy solutions.
Utility‑scale solar — especially when powered by American technology, manufactured by American workers, and supported by American supply chains — fits squarely within that consensus. It supports affordable energy, strengthens US energy security, and creates jobs for Americans. Moreover, it can be deployed faster than most other forms of power generation to add critical power generation capacity. It’s not just ready and able to help address America’s power generation needs — it’s available NOW.
As energy demand grows and competition intensifies globally, the question isn’t whether solar has a role to play. Voters across the political spectrum already know it does.
Bipartisan consensus gives us a real opportunity to focus on what unites us:
- Building more power-generation sources, faster
- Keeping energy costs down for American families and businesses
- Ensuring America leads in the technologies that will define the future
These are goals worth rallying around — and we’re proud to deliver upon the promise of American solar energy.
Read the press release here.
METHODOLOGY STATEMENT: Fabrizio, Lee & Associates conducted a national survey of 800 Republicans, Republican-leaning Independents, and Trump voters (GOP+) from January 19-21, 2026. The interviews were split 40% live-operator cell phone/15% live-operator landline/45% SMS to web. Gender, age, race/ethnicity, and education were matched to demographic profiles of GOP+ voters based on the voter file and exit polls. Respondents were randomly selected from lists of registered voters. The margin of sampling error at the 95% confidence interval is ±3.46%.
