New Poll: Texas Voters Overwhelmingly Believe State Should Encourage Solar — Not Stand in its Way

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Texas voters overwhelmingly believe that policymakers should not get in the way of solar growth. Nearly three-quarters of Texans agree there is too much red tape standing in the way of new solar projects, according to new polling released today by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Global Strategy Group (GSG), and North Star Opinion Research.

While some Texas officials are considering policies that make solar projects more difficult, 89% of Texans — including 83% of self-identified Trump voters — agree that farmers and property owners should have the right to lease their land for solar projects.

In addition, a majority of Texans oppose proposals that impose higher fees and more regulatory hurdles for solar projects. More than 80% of Texans want lawmakers to maintain a level playing field and let solar compete with oil and gas.

“Texas officials who hinder solar development are out of step with what voters want: more solar,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “The Texas solar industry is continuing the state’s rich legacy as an energy leader and the state’s economy and electric grid are stronger because of it.”

The poll also reveals that Texans believe the state’s electric grid is outdated and needs modernizing, with 90% of voters — including 85% of Republican voters — in agreement.In addition, 73% of Texans believe that solar and battery storage make the grid more resilient.

Texas installed the most solar power of any state through the first half of 2024, and the Lone Star State is expected to rank first nationally in solar growth over the next five years, but that historic growth could be undermined by state policymakers that want to play favorites in the energy market. Texas’ solar industry invested $13.4 billion into the state economy in 2023 and 76% of Texans agree that solar is good for the economy.

 “Texas voters from across the political and geographic spectrums not only see the benefits of solar but want state policymakers to do more to encourage it,” said GSG partner Andrew Baumann. “The last thing voters want is government getting in the way of solar power.”

Solar is also the most popular source of power in Texas, with73% agreeing that their electric utility should get more of its electricity from solar power, outpacing all other sources, including natural gas (67%).

In addition, nearly 80% of voters support federal clean energy incentives, which is consistent with national polling SEIA released last month.

“Energy built the state of Texas, and this survey makes it clear that voters want Texas to continue to be a leader in energy production well into the future,” said Dan Judy, Vice President of North Star Opinion Research. “Elected officials of both parties should work to make it easier to develop more solar energy in Texas.”

Read the poll and topline analysis.

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About SEIA®: 

The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and solar + storage industries, building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org and follow @SEIA on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Media Contact: 

Jen Bristol, SEIA’s Senior Director of Communications, jbristol@seia.org (202) 556-2886