By Adam Glick, Sr Consultant, NATiVE Solar
Hi Folks. Here’s some new info you probably haven’t seen. Recently published polling data compiled by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) shows that Texans are overwhelmingly in favor of solar energy, and it’s not a one-sided political issue…
Over 70% of voters in the state want to see Texas encourage solar power development instead of trying to block it. The data shows that solar-related development has pretty broad support across the political spectrum in our state -many Republicans, Democrats, and independents all see the potential. Whether it’s for energy independence, cleaner air, or economic opportunities, Texans are saying loud and clear: building distributed solar and BESS (battery energy storage) infrastructure is a crucial element for our state’s energy policy leaders and officials to consider.
Here’s a few interesting stats we pulled out of the polling data and subsequent analysis:
71% of Texans believe the state should actively encourage solar energy development. That includes a whopping 61% of Republicans, proving that solar has strong bipartisan appeal.
A significant 83% of Texans believe solar power is important for the state’s energy independence. As the largest energy producer in the U.S., Texas voters see the value in diversifying their energy sources.
78% of respondents view solar as an important part of the state’s economy, with job creation being a major factor. Solar is a huge economic driver, offering opportunities across industries.
The poll also found that 79% of voters want policies that support solar power expansion. This reflects the public’s frustration with attempts to block or slow down solar growth in Texas.
Hopefully, this new data will be received as something of wake-up call for our elected state leaders. Texas is already a top player in solar energy -we produced more solar energy than any other state last year (including California!)- but according to the survey, voters believe there’s still so much more potential to be tapped. And there are plenty of entities wielding power in the halls of the state legislature who aren’t proponents for these types of infrastructure investments. In fact, some policymakers have been hard at work trying to slow down solar growth -an aim which which now seems out of touch with what the people actually want.
According to the data, most folks see the benefits of solar outweighing any tradeoffs: it’s a renewable energy source that can strengthen and stabilize the Texas grid, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and create jobs here. Texas, with our wide-open spaces and endless sunshine, is a natural fit for solar farms.
What’s perhaps especially telling about the poll results is the strong bipartisan support here. Clean energy is an overwhelmingly common-sense issue regardless of demographics. Voters from all backgrounds understand the economic and environmental benefits solar and distributed energy storage can bring. We Texans – and not just those like me in the solar industry 🙂 – want to see our state push forward, creating policies that encourage increased solar power, not stand in its way. SEIA’s findings suggest that if some Texas lawmakers continue to resist, they could be missing out on an opportunity to further expand on one of the biggest economic and environmental issues of our time -to the detriment of us residents.
If you’re interested in digging into a bit more details, here’s a link to the polling data and report: SEIA Solar Energy Messaging Texas Survey
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