Poll Shows Republican Voters Back Solar Power
Recent polls reveal that most conservative voters are in favor of solar energy, especially if it’s produced domestically and avoids materials from China.
A survey by Fabrizio Lee & Associates, which included a diverse “GOP+” sample—comprising Republicans, Republican-leaning independents, and Trump supporters—was conducted from January 19 to January 21. The findings indicated that support for large-scale solar power generation was at 51%. This number climbed to 70% when the solar panels were confirmed to be made in the U.S. without any Chinese involvement.
Additionally, 70% of participants expressed that all energy resources, including large-scale solar, should be allowed to compete freely in the market without governmental interference.
Axios pointed out that Tony Fabrizio, a key pollster for President Trump, was involved in this survey. He, along with his colleagues David Lee and Travis Tunis, noted that Republican voters desire energy independence and affordable electricity. They believe that utility-scale solar is integral to achieving that, especially when the components are manufactured domestically.
The firm surveyed 800 registered voters, yielding a margin of error of about 3.46 percentage points. Notably, China currently holds a significant position in the realms of rare earth mining and solar panel production.
Seventeen metallic elements, known as rare earths, are critical for various technologies, including electric vehicles and smartphones, and are heavily sourced from China. Reports state that around 80% of these resources consumed globally originate there.
From June to August 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection increased scrutiny on solar panel components linked to potential slave labor in China, as highlighted in a Reuters article. Authorities are also reassessing risks tied to Chinese-made solar inverters following discoveries of unapproved communication devices.
In a contrasting move, the Trump administration sought to curb wind energy projects while pushing back against Biden’s green energy subsidies. Yet, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have affirmed that solar power remains a viable resource.
Wright has previously commented on the limited portion renewable energy plays in total energy consumption, emphasizing the necessity for traditional energy sources in manufacturing and transportation sectors.
