American Voters Want Solar Energy

Posted on Oct 7, 2012 in Energy Efficiency by Tom Schueneman 0 Comments

There isn’t a single issue on which Democrats, Republicans and those in between can agree – right? Despite how it might seem out on the campaign trail and in the endless negative ads flooding our TV screens (except, for some reason, those of us in northern California), nothing could be further from the truth.

One very important case in point is solar power. A recent survey conducted by the independent polling firm Hart Research Associates determined that more than 9 out of 10 Americans – 92 percent – think the U.S. government should do more to support, develop and use solar energy.

Solar Energy is Bipartisan

What may be startling to our political leaders – especially those that try to use renewable energy as a “wedge” issue to attack their opponents – is the clear bipartisan agreement on the value and importance of solar for the country.

In the survey conducted September 4 to 9, 1,206 American voters were interviewed including Republicans, Democrats, and those defined as independent voters (ticket splitters and voters who frequently vote for candidates from both parties). With a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percent, 84 percent of Republicans, 95 percent of independents, and 98 percent of Democrats all expressed support for solar energy and felt the government should do more to expand its use and development.

“American voters have spoken loud and clear – they love solar and they want more of it. Republicans, independents, and Democrats are unified in calling on Congress to increase our use of solar energy in America,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association

Government’s Role on Promoting Solar

Helping to break away from the “Solyndra narrative” promoted by polarized leaders in Washington, almost four out of five voters, 78 percent, want government to support solar development through tax credits and financial incentives. Two-thirds of swing voters, 67 percent, put solar energy development at the top of the list for energy sources that should receive government support through such measures.

“These results clearly show that American voters across the political spectrum have a strong favorable view of solar energy and the solar industry, and they believe that government has an important role to play in allowing this industry to grow and succeed,” said Geoff Garin, president of Hart Research Associates.

How we view solar energy – the good and bad

Solar appeals to a wide political spectrum because it represents at least some values that are important everyone:

97 percent of survey respondents think solar is good for the environment
88 percent believe solar will help reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil (even if it’s only from Canada)
87 percent think solar will help reduce the cost of electricity
86 percent think solar is good for the economy and will help produce jobs
56 percent believe solar is affordable

But there are concerns about solar as well:

66 percent think solar is too expensive for most people
54 percent think it isn’t practical for many parts of the country
42 percent think solar development has led to wasteful government spending
29 percent believe solar is an inefficient energy source
27 percent think solar isn’t a reliable energy source

The good news, I believe, with the negative views as that they come from either a lack of knowledge (or misinformation) about solar energy (too expensive, wasteful spending, not practical) or those concerns are being addressed through innovation and technical development (efficiency, reliability).

What is clear is that, despite the gridlock in Washington and the heated rhetoric out on the campaign trail, Americans are ready for solar and they want the government to step up and do its part to support it.