A new poll has revealed strong bipartisan support for federal clean energy incentives, including tax credits for solar and energy storage, under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The survey, conducted by Global Strategy Group (GSG), North Star and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), revealed that nearly 9 in 10 US voters support federal clean energy tax credits and found that 87% of US voters support these federal incentives. Notably, 78% of voters who supported Donald Trump in 2020 also support these clean energy policies.

The poll highlights that only 10% of Trump voters are strongly opposed to these measures, suggesting minimal resistance among Republican base voters to the continuation of clean energy incentives. Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA, emphasized the public's desire for lower energy costs and increased energy security, noting that these incentives are currently driving substantial clean energy investments across the country.

The polling data also suggests a significant electoral advantage for lawmakers who support clean energy policies. In a hypothetical election scenario, a Democrat supporting the clean energy incentives would win by 17 points over a Republican opponent who advocates for their repeal—a notable increase from the Democrats' current 3-point margin in generic ballot matchups.

The support for solar and energy storage extends beyond mere endorsement. According to the poll, 75% of respondents believe that solar energy benefits the US economy, 71% think that solar paired with storage enhances grid reliability, and 74% agree that increased solar use will reduce costs for American families. Additionally, over half of the respondents expressed interest in installing solar panels on their homes.


Source: SEIA

The extension of the solar Investment Tax Credit, as reported by the Treasury Department, has already had a significant impact, benefiting more than 750,000 American households and generating new job opportunities in various communities. States like Nevada and Arizona, which are key election battlegrounds, have seen high rates of rooftop solar adoption due to the IRA.

Andrew Baumann, partner at GSG, pointed out that solar power enjoys widespread popularity across the political spectrum. He warned that politicians from either party who seek to repeal these incentives risk considerable political fallout, given their broad-based support.