Donald Trump has said he is considering covering his controversial Mexican border wall with solar panels so it "pays for itself".

At a rally in Iowa, the President told supporters the addition would cover construction costs and provide cheap, renewable energy.

Taking credit for the concept, Mr Trump said: "Pretty good imagination, right? My idea!"

Despite the President's claim, a construction proposal submitted to the Department of Homeland Security in April included solar panels which would provide electricity for lighting, sensors and patrol stations along the wall.

Image: The President said Mexico 'will have to pay much less money' under the plan

Thomas Gleason, who submitted the pitch, said power could be sold to Mexico and solar panels would ensure the wall could "pay for itself".


Talking up the idea, Mr Trump said: "Yes, we will build a wall. We have to stop the drugs from flowing in.

"I will give you an idea that nobody has heard about yet. The southern border.

"Lots of sun, lots of heat. We are thinking about building a wall as a solar wall."

He added: "This way, Mexico will have to pay much less money. And that's good. Right?"

"Think of it, the higher it goes, the more valuable it is."

Image: Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto says his country will not pay for the wall

During the Presidential campaign, Mr Trump repeatedly insisted he would force Mexico to pay for the wall estimated to cost around $21.6bn (£17bn).

He later appeared to row back on the pledge, saying US taxpayers would foot the bill until "we will be reimbursed at a later date from whatever transaction we make from Mexico".

In January, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto made a televised address in which he said he "lamented" plans for the barrier and reiterated his country would not pay a single peso.

So far the US Congress has not committed funding to the project, agreeing only to finance maintenance on existing parts of the border fence.

Mr Trump's plan for a border wall is set to be debated again in October, when Republicans and Democrats begin 2018 budget negotiations.