MarketsMar 10, 2026
Solar Found New Cheerleaders in the Last Place Expected
Energy Security
Daniel Schoester
Solar had its Zoolander moment — record-breaking, undeniable, everywhere. Then Trump’s administration discarded it, slamming solar as “just a parasite” on the grid. Now, prominent MAGA insiders are reversing course, and the industry’s solar ETF sits 69% higher than last year.
- As AI data centers strain the grid and the Iran war pushes energy costs higher, solar has emerged as the fastest, cheapest option for new capacity.
- Tesla announced a 100GW US solar factory plan — while the Interior Department unblocked projects last week, and even Trump signaled a softer stance.
Catching rays: Solar’s new pitch isn’t climate, but an existential race against China. Former GOP official Katie Miller argues the US “must rapidly expand solar to compete,” while the Energy Information Administration sees it leading US grid additions in 2026. Markets aren’t convinced yet, though, with pure-play stocks like SolarEdge, Enphase, and Sunrun remaining deeply in the red since late 2022. Up close, it’s a comeback story. From a distance, it’s complicated.
