Americans are facing significant challenges with rising electricity bills as energy demand increases and fuel prices fluctuate, particularly during periods of extreme heat. Recent polling indicates approximately half of all U.S. households struggle to afford their utility expenses. With midterm elections approaching in November, energy policy has become a central concern for voters who are evaluating candidates’ positions on addressing these costs.
Solar and energy storage technologies have emerged as the preferred solutions among the electorate. An April Gallup poll found that 66% of Americans want policymakers to prioritize solar energy development, compared to 16% seeking reduced emphasis. Support for these technologies crosses political lines, with 87% of Democratic respondents and significant majorities of Republican voters, including those in key swing states, backing solar expansion. A recent Cygnal survey similarly identified clean and renewable energy as the most popular grid option among various alternatives presented to voters.
These energy sources offer practical advantages that resonate with voter concerns. Solar and storage facilities require no fuel, insulating consumers from volatile international supply chains and price shocks that have affected oil and gas markets. Their rapid deployment capabilities—measured in months rather than years—position them as timely solutions to meet surging electricity demand from data centers and manufacturing expansion. During the Trump administration, solar and storage accounted for more than 80% of newly added grid capacity.
Beyond cost considerations, these industries generate substantial economic benefits. The solar and energy storage sectors support hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide and have driven billions in local investments and tax revenue. Since 2022, U.S. solar manufacturers have announced over $47 billion in new capital investments and established more than 190 new facilities.
Recent election results demonstrate that voter preferences align with these positions. In elections held last November across Virginia, New Jersey, Georgia, and other states, candidates supporting expanded solar and storage development prevailed when energy policy emerged as a top voter concern.
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