Solar power lights up Trump country
In the rolling hills of northwest Georgia, where the Chattahoochee River carves lazy curves through red clay, the town of Dalton — once known for its carpet mills — has discovered a new purpose. Qcells, a South Korean solar manufacturer with a distinctly American ambition, has invested $2.5 billion into factories here and in nearby Cartersville, producing solar panels and cells to power homes and businesses across the nation. Just down the road, in Norcross, Suniva has restarted production at its plant, while SOLARCYCLE is developing a 5-gigawatt solar recycling facility in Cedartown. Georgia, a state that voted for Donald Trump in 2024, is now home to 48 solar manufacturers and an $8.4 billion solar market. This is not the sun-soaked California of stereotype, nor the progressive enclaves of the Northeast. This is Trump country, and it’s glowing with solar ambition.
A decade ago, California accounted for nearly half of America’s solar energy capacity, with its sunny hillsides and liberal policies making it the poster child for renewable energy. However, the solar landscape has shifted dramatically, driven more by economics than by ideology. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), 80% of solar manufacturing investments since August 2022 have flowed into congressional districts represented by Republicans, and 14 of the 20 states that installed the most solar capacity in 2024 backed Trump in the last election. States like Texas, Ohio, and Georgia — strongholds of conservative politics — are now leading a renewable energy boom that is reshaping their economies and challenging assumptions about where clean energy thrives.
The numbers tell a compelling story. Solar and energy storage accounted for 84% of new grid capacity in 2024, demonstrating the technology’s affordability and scalability. In Arkansas, another Trump stronghold, solar capacity more than doubled last year, with $3.6 billion invested in the state’s economy. A massive solar farm under construction in Mississippi County will soon power 50,000 homes while creating 400 construction jobs and generating $1.3 million in annual tax revenue. In Texas, utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects are projected to contribute over $20 billion in tax revenue and pay landowners $29.5 billion over their lifetimes. These aren’t just abstract figures — they translate into jobs for electricians, welders, and factory workers, many of whom proudly wear MAGA hats to work.
What’s driving this surge? The answer lies in a confluence of policy, pragmatism, and market forces. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, despite passing without a single Republican vote, has directed billions in tax credits and incentives to clean energy projects, many of which are situated in red states where land is inexpensive and regulations are minimal. “When conservative states cut red tape and allow solar to compete, utilities and developers choose the generation source that delivers the best product,” SEIA notes. Solar’s low cost and rapid deployment make it the preferred choice for meeting the soaring energy demands of industries such as artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, which require reliable and affordable power.
Yet, this boom faces a shadow. The House Ways and Means Committee just passed a bill that would repeal crucial solar tax credits, including the Section 25D residential solar credit, threatening to derail nearly 300 solar and storage factories and 300,000 jobs — 80% of which are in red states. SEIA’s president, Abigail Ross Hopper, called it a “catastrophic energy shortfall” that could cede technological leadership to China. The irony is stark: a policy pushed by Republican lawmakers could undermine the very communities that propelled Trump to victory.
In Dalton, the Qcells factory hums with activity. Workers in hard hats and safety vests assemble solar modules under the whir of robotic arms, their output destined for both rooftops and utility-scale projects. Many of these workers are locals who once toiled in textile mills or construction, now retrained for a high-tech industry that’s transforming their region.
The economic ripple effects are undeniable. In Ohio, another Trump state, solar manufacturing has taken root alongside traditional industries like steel and automotive. First Solar, a leading U.S. manufacturer, operates a massive facility in Lake Township, employing over 1,500 workers to produce panels for both domestic and international markets. The state ranks among the top three for solar manufacturing, alongside Georgia and Texas, with 70-80% of federal clean energy investments since 2022 flowing to districts represented by Republicans.
This isn’t to say the transition is seamless. In rural communities, solar farms sometimes spark tension over land use. Farmers in Arkansas have protested large-scale projects, worried about losing arable land to sprawling arrays of panels. Yet, the financial incentives, such as lease payments to landowners and tax revenue for schools and infrastructure, often prevail. In Mississippi County, the new solar farm is expected to fund local services for decades, a boon for a region long reliant on agriculture.
The political paradox is hard to ignore. Trump, who has vowed to dismantle the IRA and prioritize fossil fuels, won votes in states that are currently benefiting from clean energy policies he opposes. His rhetoric on energy dominance emphasizes oil and gas, yet the growth of solar energy in red states aligns with his broader goals of job creation and energy independence.
For now, the solar surge in Trump country is a story of pragmatism trumping politics. In Georgia, workers at Qcells don’t debate climate change over lunch; they talk about overtime and benefits. In Arkansas, farmers leasing land for solar farms see steady checks, not green dogma. And in Texas, where the grid famously faltered in 2021, solar’s reliability is quietly bolstering energy security. The sun, it turns out, doesn’t vote red or blue — it just shines.
As Congress debates the future of clean energy incentives, the stakes are high. Repealing tax credits could stall projects and shutter factories, leaving towns like Dalton and counties like Mississippi to grapple with lost jobs and investments. But if the policies hold, these red states could cement their place as the backbone of America’s solar industry, proving that clean energy isn’t just a coastal dream — it’s a heartland reality.
