More than 70% of new solar is being built in states that voted for Trump

Solar power is booming fastest in states that voted for Trump, according to a new industry report. Eight of the top ten solar-building states in the first half of 2026 backed Trump in the last election, led by Texas and Florida. The country added more than 11 gigawatts of solar in the second quarter of 2026, up 45 percent from a year earlier, and these red states accounted for close to three-fourths of that growth. Industry leaders point to pro-business attitudes, more available land, easier permitting, and rising electricity demand from manufacturing and data centers as the reasons, rather than climate concerns.

Some of that growth may not last. Congress ended federal tax credits early for most new solar farms as of July 4, 2026, which pushed developers to rush projects before the deadline and likely inflated this year's numbers. Rooftop solar for homes has already started declining in 2026 without those credits. Whether states keep building solar depends heavily on local sunlight and state policy. Texas, with strong year-round sun, is expected to keep growing. Michigan, a newer entrant to the top ten, has less sunlight but is being pushed forward by a state law requiring utilities to get half their power from renewables by 2030.

For homeowners, the takeaway is that rooftop solar incentives are shrinking at the federal level, and what's available to you now depends heavily on your state's own clean energy rules and rebates, which are worth checking directly.