MAGA Solar Power

How could we make President Trump and his base get behind solar power?

Rather than endlessly talking about climate change, we would be better focusing on the key things he wants to deliver; a secure border and increased US manufacturing that particularly helps to counteract Chinese dominance.

Since China is the world's largest producer of solar panels, there is an opportunity to make MAGA go Gaga for Solar.

If the US were to build a mile-wide solar power 'barrier' (i.e. a mile wide barrier as opposed to a tall wall) along the US-Mexico border, it would provide about 20% of the country's annual electricity and help provide the increasing power demands of artificial intelligence.

Such a massive scheme would be a 'moonshot' in manufacturing, creating large demand to drive investment and innovation in manufacturing to produce high-quality, low-cost panels that would compete with current Chinese offerings.

A further 'Made in America' campaign to get MAGA voters installing US-made solar panels and batteries in their homes - possibly advertised as avoiding relying on the government to protect the grid - could further increase demand and switch the issue from a Democrat-led effort to a Republican one.

Climate sceptics would be buying and investing in the technology needed to solve climate change by decarbonising electricity grids.