Federal Solar and Storage Policies Align with an America-First Energy Agenda 

When President Trump first took office in 2017, the United States ranked 14th in the world for solar manufacturing. Today, we are the world’s third largest solar manufacturing economy, and American manufacturers can now produce enough to meet all U.S. demand for solar modules. 

This is an unparalleled American success story. But this isn’t just about solar. It represents a huge leap toward reducing dependence on foreign energy sources and strengthening our national security. 

As trade and tariffs overwhelm the headlines this week, one thing is clear: This solar manufacturing story, backed by smart federal policies, is directly aligned with President Trump’s America-First energy policy. 

President Trump is focused on reducing dependence on foreign energy sources, creating jobs for American workers, and ensuring the country’s energy needs are met domestically. Solar and energy storage, which accounted for 84% of new grid capacity in 2024, are key to realizing this vision.  

It’s a national security imperative that we own and control the solar supply chain. For too long, the United States has been over-reliant on foreign imports to build out clean energy capacity. Federal tax incentives and policies aimed at promoting domestic solar manufacturing have been instrumental in turning the tides. By shifting production to the U.S., these policies not only support American workers but also shield the country from global supply chain disruptions and the risks associated with foreign dependencies. 

If you think the surge of U.S. solar manufacturing is only in downstream assembly, think again. Rapidly growing solar module production is driving demand for earlier parts of the supply chain, helping America attract new investments in silicon ingots and wafers, solar cells, as well as other parts of the supply chain like glass, steel racking, and inverters. 

Solar and storage are America’s fastest-growing energy sources, accounting for 75% of all new energy generations projects in the pipeline. In a world where energy is increasingly a strategic asset, having a robust domestic energy sector that includes solar and storage manufacturing capabilities enhances American energy independence and our geopolitical leverage. 

Additionally, the benefits for American workers are substantial. By 2033, the U.S. solar manufacturing workforce is expected to rise to 100,000 jobs. And the people and places that voted for President Trump are seeing the lion’s share of these new solar investments. 

Since 2022, 70-80% of all federal clean energy investments have flowed to Republican districts, and 90% of all projects announced have been in the manufacturing sector. Ohio, Georgia, and Texas are the top three states for solar manufacturing, and over 55% of all solar capacity installed in the United States is in states that voted for President Trump.   

These policies are working, and public opinion also supports continuing this momentum. A clear majority of Americans support policies that expand solar deployment and manufacturing, including 78% of those that identify as a 2020 Trump voter, according to a recent poll by North Star and Global Strategy Group.  

President Trump wants American-made energy, and solar and storage are delivering. As Congress negotiates its tax bill to enact the President’s agenda, preserving federal policies behind the success of U.S. solar and storage manufacturing is crucial. These long-term policies provide business certainty, high paying manufacturing jobs, and ensure we own the supply chain for the world’s fastest-growing energy technologies.