More than 90% of voters believe solar energy is important for the United States, according to a new survey done for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The annual survey also shows that majorities support federal subsidies and other policies for clean energy sources.
More than 90% of voters believe solar energy is important for the United States, according to a new survey done for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The annual survey also shows that majorities support federal subsidies and other policies for clean energy sources.
The survey, conducted by independent polling firm Hart Research Associates, showed for the fifth consecutive year that Americans maintain a very favorable view of solar energy and government efforts to encourage the industry’s growth. Strong support cuts across the political divide, with Republicans only slightly less favorably inclined toward solar energy than Democrats and independents.
That strong support among all three groups extends to the thorny issue of government subsidies for not just solar, but other renewable technologies.
From Sept. 4 to 9, 2012, Hart Research undertook an online national survey of 1,206 registered voters on behalf of SEIA, including an oversample of swing voters (resulting in 762 swing voter interviews). The swing voter sample included only those respondents who did not indicate a strong or consistent partisan voting history. The margin of error for the full sample is ±2.8 percentage points.
A nearly unanimous 92% of voters feel it is very important (58%) or somewhat important (34%) for the U.S. to develop and use solar power, including 93% of swing voters. Democrats and independents are nearly uniform in their agreement (98% and 95% important, respectively), and 84% of Republicans also agree.
“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 SEIA.
Energy issues are deemed very important in the survey sample, ahead of the environment and only slightly behind government spending and Medicare reform.
Of poll respondents, 74% said that energy is one of the most important (27%) or very importa
