Exclusive: Majority of Trump voters back solar power, poll finds

A majority of Trump-coalition voters back solar power, especially if the panels are made in the U.S. and without Chinese materials, polling shared exclusively with Axios shows.

Why it matters: Trump officials are moving against renewables on several fronts, including Interior Department permitting restrictions and the GOP budget law hastening the end of project subsidies.

• But the poll commissioned by U.S. manufacturer First Solar suggests that a big swath of his coalition is partial to the tech.

Driving the news: Fabrizio, Lee & Associates polled what it calls a "GOP+" sample — a mix of Republicans, GOP-leaning independents and Trump voters.

• It found 51% favor utility-scale solar (large plants that generate electricity fed directly into the grid), while 30% oppose it.

The share in favor soars to 70% if the panels are made in domestic factories, using U.S. materials, and have no ties to China.

• 68% agree with the statement: "[W]e need all forms of electricity generation, including utility solar, to be built to lower electricity costs."

Catch up fast: Tony Fabrizio, a partner in the firm, has been chief pollster for President Trump's campaigns.

The big picture: "GOP+ voters want America to have energy independence and for their electric bills to be affordable," a polling memo states.

• "They understand that utility solar energy is a key aspect in allowing that to happen."

State of play: Solar manufacturers have a number of policy goals, said Mike Carr, head of the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America Coalition. Examples include:

• "Workable but strong" Treasury Department policies that ensure tax credits are for solar energy projects that don't use Chinese equipment.
• Avoiding permitting barriers for power projects looking to tap incentives before they sunset.

Zoom out: Samantha Sloan, First Solar's EVP for corporate affairs, told us it's "important that utility‑scale solar be seen for what it is — a commonsense solution that lowers energy costs, boosts grid reliability, and supports American jobs."

• "This new poll shows GOP voters agree," she said.

What we're watching: Whether the data influences Trump administration policies.

• Senate Democrats have cited what they see as Trump's stalling of permits for renewable projects as grounds to avoid negotiating a permitting overhaul — a top priority for many business groups.

The bottom line: "[T]he belief by some on the right that solar energy is anathema to right-leaning voters is unfounded," the polling memo argues.

Methodology: The firm polled 800 registered voters from Jan. 19-21. The margin of error is +/- 3.46%.

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