Voters Perceptions Of Solar Energy And The Solar Industry

Transcription

1 HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Voters Perceptions Of Solar Energy And The Solar Industry Key findings from online survey among voters nationwide Conducted September 2012 for 1

2 Research Methodology Online survey among 1,206 likely voters nationwide, including an oversample of 200 swing voters (for a total of 762 swing voters) Interviews conducted September 4 9, 2012 Margins of error ±2.8 percentage points among all voters ±3.6 percentage points among all swing voters 2 Voters Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry September 2012 Hart Research for

3 How important is it for the United States to develop and use solar power? Very important Somewhat important Not important All voters Swing voters 8% 7% 58% OBAMA59% MCCAIN VOTERS Should do more to promote solar power VOTERS 34% 34% 3 Voters Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry September 2012 Hart Research for

4 Energy is an important issue for voters heading into the November elections. Other than jobs and the economy, how important is this issue in your thinking about the November elections? One of the two or three most important issues A very important issue Government spending 61% 90% Medicare reform 40% 81% Education 37% 80% Energy 27% 74% Environment 17% 55% 4 Voters Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry September 2012 Hart Research for

5 Solar energy is favorably viewed by nearly everyone, regardless of party or demographics. Feelings toward Sources of Energy for Generating Electricity in the U.S. Very favorable Somewhat favorable Unfavorable Solar energy 60% 85% 4% Democrats Republicans 94% 75% Independents Swing voters 89% 87% Wind power 54% 82% 5% Hydropower 42% 76% 1% Natural gas 35% 71% 5% Geothermal energy 32% 62% 3% Nuclear power 18% 43% 24% Oil 16% 42% 28% Coal 12% 32% 34% 5 Voters Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry September 2012 Hart Research for

6 Strong majorities of voters say that government should be doing MORE to promote solar power. Attitudes toward Federal Government s Policies on Solar Power All voters Swing voters Should do less 14% Continue current policies 16% Should do more to promote solar power 70% Should do less 12% Continue current MCCAIN policies VOTERS 16% Should Should do more do more to to promote solar OBAMA promote solar power VOTERS power 72% Should Do More Democrats Independents Republicans 83% 80% 50% 6 Voters Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry September 2012 Hart Research for

7 Solar is the energy source voters are most eager to see government support through financial incentives. Which, if any, of these forms of energy should the federal government support or encourage through tax subsidies/other financial incentives? Solar energy All voters 64% Swing voters 67% Wind power 57% 60% Hydropower Geothermal energy Natural gas 26% 32% 38% 39% 34% 23% Nuclear power Oil Coal No tax subsidies/ incentives to any 8% 16% 13% 20% 15% 9% 4% 20% 7 Voters Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry September 2012 Hart Research for

8 By nearly four to one, voters (including swings) want government to support solar energy through tax credits and financial incentives. Support for Federal Government Providing Tax Credits/Financial Incentives to Encourage Development and Use of Solar Energy 78% Should provide tax credits/ financial incentives: Definitely Probably 79% Should NOT provide tax credits/financial incentives: Definitely Probably 22% 35% 9% All voters Should Provide Tax Credits/Incentives Democrats Independents Republicans 91% 78% 63% 21% 34% 7% Swing voters 8 Voters Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry September 2012 Hart Research for

9 Voters see clear advantages to solar, including its environmental benefits and its contribution to reducing foreign dependence for energy. Credibility of Positive Statements about Solar Power Definitely true Probably true Good for the environment 65% All voters 97% Can help reduce our dependence on foreign oil Strongly agree 15% Can help reduce the cost of electricity 50% 45% 88% 87% Good for American jobs and economy 33% 86% Strongly agree 13% Affordable for customers 15% 56% 31% say this is probably false; 13% say it is definitely false. 9 Voters Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry September 2012 Hart Research for

10 Affordability and practicality top the list of voters concerns about solar. Credibility of Negative Statements about Solar Power Definitely true Probably true All voters Too expensive for most consumers 22% 66% Not practical in many parts of the country Strongly agree 15% Promotion of solar has resulted in wasteful government spending 11% 17% 42% 54% Inefficient source of energy 9% 29% 48% say this is probably false; 23% say it is definitely false. Not a reliable source of energy Strongly agree 13% 7% 27% 50% say this is probably false; 23% say it is definitely false. 10 Voters Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry September 2012 Hart Research for

11 Final Takeaways I The message from the research is clear: Voters across the political spectrum support solar and want the government to do more to encourage its continued development and use. Solar enjoys strong bipartisan support among all voters. Voters believe the government should support solar energy, including through federal incentives. More than nine in ten voters feel it is important for the U.S. to develop and use solar power. 98% of Democrats feel this way, as do 95% of independents, and 84% of Republicans. 92% of all voters and 93% of swing voters agree.

12 Final Takeaways II By nearly four to one, voters say the government should provide tax credits and financial incentives for solar energy. This belief is shared by 79% of swing voters, 91% of Democrats, 78% of independents, and 63% of Republicans. High levels of public support for solar energy have held roughly constant over the past five years. Support for solar has remained strong through changes in the White House and changes in the economy. Voters support solar because it is clean, abundant, and decreases our reliance on foreign sources of energy.

13 HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Voters Perceptions Of Solar Energy And The Solar Industry Key findings from online survey among voters nationwide Conducted September 2012 for 13