Solar could influence independent voters in US swing states, poll says

March 23, 2016
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The poll was conducted among 600 independent voters in 11 swing states. Image: Robert Scoble / Flickr

A new poll commissioned by The Alliance for Solar Choice sheds light on the impact that solar could have on independent voters in swing states during the upcoming US presidential election.

According to the results, independents in these swing states would be more inclined to vote for a Republican candidate who opted to vocally support solar energy. When asked about the potential impact of said candidate showing more support for solar, 27% of voters said that they would be more inclined to vote for that candidate.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Public Opinion Strategies conducted the poll among 600 independent voters in 11 key swing states: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

90% of polled voters favored increasing the use of solar energy, while just 7% opposed it.  

Tyson Grinstead, spokesperson for The Alliance for Solar Choice and former Political Director for South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, said: “Independent swing state voters may pick the next President. This poll shows solar energy is a key issue that could motivate them in November. In a particularly contentious election cycle, both parties should pay attention to any issue that can move this critical voting block.”

A number of demographics polled favorably when it came to PV energy, as 89% of polled voters thought that the US could benefit from new jobs created by the growing solar market, while 88% believed that the option for homeowners to adopt solar energy stands as an important feature allowing for choice in the electricity market. 77% of independent voters also stated that a growing solar market in America will help keep electricity rates down going forward.

Read Next

May 7, 2026
American Steel and Aluminum (ASA, which produces US-made solar foundations, has opened a new facility in Syracuse, New York.
May 5, 2026
PV inverter producers are adapting their manufacturing strategies to navigate changing policy and regulations, according to PV Tech Research.
May 5, 2026
PV inverter producers are adapting their manufacturing strategies to changing policy and regulatory conditions in key solar markets, writes PV Tech Research analyst Mollie McCorkindale.
April 23, 2026
US-based forecasting company Amperon has launched a new AI-based short-term probabilistic forecasting tool for solar and wind generation assets.
April 16, 2026
The US community solar sector passed 10GW DC of cumulative capacity in late 2025, according to a report by Wood Mackenzie and the Coalition for Community Solar Access.
April 15, 2026
US-based PV manufacturer Suniva is to open a new solar cell manufacturing facility in Laurens, South Carolina.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
May 20, 2026
Porto, Portugal
Upcoming Webinars
May 27, 2026
9am BST / 10am CEST
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
June 3, 2026
National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
August 25, 2026
São Paulo, Brazil