Voters Perceptions Of Solar Energy And The Solar Industry Key - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Voters’ Perceptions Of Solar Energy And The Solar Industry

Key findings from online survey among voters nationwide Conducted September 2012 for

HARTRESEARCH

A S S O T E S C I A

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Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for

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

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Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for

How important is it for the United States to develop and use solar power?

34% 8% 58%

OBAMA VOTERS MCCAIN VOTERS All voters Should do more to promote solar power Swing voters

Very important Somewhat important Not important

34% 7% 59%

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Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for

17% 27% 37% 40% 61%

Government spending Medicare reform Education Energy Environment 90% 74% 55%

Energy is an important issue for voters heading into the November elections.

One of the two or three most important issues A very important issue

80% 81%

Other than jobs and the economy, how important is this issue in your thinking about the November elections?

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Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for Democrats Republicans 94% 75% Independents Swing voters 89% 87%

Solar energy is favorably viewed by nearly every-

• ne, regardless of party or demographics.

12% 16% 18% 32% 35% 42% 54% 60%

Feelings toward Sources of Energy for Generating Electricity in the U.S.

Very favorable Somewhat favorable

Solar energy Wind power Hydropower Natural gas Geothermal energy Nuclear power Oil Coal 85% 82% 76% 71% 62%

Unfavorable 4% 5% 1% 5% 3% 24% 28% 34%

43% 42% 32%

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Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for

Strong majorities of voters say that government should be doing MORE to promote solar power.

16% 14% 70%

Should do more to promote solar power

Attitudes toward Federal Government’s Policies on Solar Power OBAMA VOTERS MCCAIN VOTERS All voters

Should do less Continue current policies

Should do more to promote solar power Swing voters

16% 12% 72%

Should do more to promote solar power

Should do less Continue current policies

Should Do More Democrats Independents Republicans 83% 80% 50%

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Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for

Solar is the energy source voters are most eager to see government support through financial incentives.

20% 8% 13% 16% 26% 32% 38% 57% 64%

Which, if any, of these forms of energy should the federal government support or encourage through tax subsidies/other financial incentives?

Solar energy Wind power Hydropower Geothermal energy Natural gas Nuclear power Oil Coal No tax subsidies/ incentives to any

Swing voters 67% 60% 39% 34% 23% 15% 9% 4% 20%

All voters

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Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for

35% 9% 34% 7%

By nearly four to one, voters (including swings) want government to support solar energy through tax credits and financial incentives.

78% 21% 79% 22% All voters Support for Federal Government Providing Tax Credits/Financial Incentives to Encourage Development and Use of Solar Energy Swing voters

Definitely Probably Should provide tax credits/ financial incentives: Definitely Probably Should NOT provide tax credits/financial incentives:

Should Provide Tax Credits/Incentives Democrats Independents Republicans 91% 78% 63%

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Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for

15% 33% 45% 50% 65%

Voters see clear advantages to solar, including its environmental benefits and its contribution to reducing foreign dependence for energy.

97%

Strongly agree 13% Strongly agree 15%

Good for the environment Can help reduce

• ur dependence on

foreign oil Can help reduce the cost of electricity Good for American jobs and economy Affordable for customers

Credibility of Positive Statements about Solar Power

Definitely true Probably true

All voters

88% 87% 86% 56%

31% say this is probably false; 13% say it is definitely false.

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Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for

7% 9% 17% 11% 22%

Affordability and practicality top the list of voters’ concerns about solar.

66%

Strongly agree 13% Strongly agree 15%

Too expensive for most consumers Not practical in many parts of the country Promotion of solar has resulted in wasteful govern- ment spending Inefficient source

• f energy

Not a reliable source of energy

Credibility of Negative Statements about Solar Power

Definitely true Probably true

All voters

54% 42% 29% 27%

50% say this is probably false; 23% say it is definitely false. 48% say this is probably false; 23% say it is definitely false.

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.

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.

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Voters’ Perceptions Of Solar Energy And The Solar Industry

Key findings from online survey among voters nationwide Conducted September 2012 for

HARTRESEARCH

A S S O T E S C I A