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

HARTRESEARCH A S S O C I A T E S Voters’ Perceptions Of Solar Energy And The Solar Industry Key findings from online survey among voters nationwide Conducted September 2012 for 1

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 Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for 2

How important is it for the United States to develop and use solar power? Very important Somewhat important Not important All voters Swing voters Should do more to promote 7% 8% 58% 59% MCCAIN OBAMA solar power VOTERS VOTERS 34% 34% Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for 3

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 61% 90% spending 81% Medicare reform 40% 80% Education 37% 74% Energy 27% 55% Environment 17% Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for 4

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

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 Should do less do less 12% 14% Should Should Should do more 70% 72% do more do more to promote Continue to promote to promote Continue MCCAIN OBAMA current solar power current solar power solar power VOTERS VOTERS policies policies 16% 16% Should Do More Democrats 83% Independents 80% Republicans 50% Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for 6

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? Swing All voters voters 64% Solar energy 67% Wind power 57% 60% Hydropower 38% 39% Geothermal energy 32% 34% Natural gas 26% 23% Nuclear power 15% 16% Oil 9% 13% Coal 8% 4% No tax subsidies/ 20% 20% incentives to any Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for 7

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 Should provide tax credits/ financial incentives: 79% 78% Definitely Probably Should NOT provide tax credits/financial incentives: Definitely Probably 22% 21% Should Provide Tax Credits/Incentives 35% 34% Democrats 91% Independents 78% 9% 7% Republicans 63% All voters Swing voters Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for 8

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 All voters Good for the 65% 97% environment Can help reduce our dependence on 88% 50% foreign oil Strongly agree 15% Can help reduce the 87% 45% cost of electricity Good for American 86% 33% jobs and economy Strongly agree Affordable for 31% say this is probably false; 56% 15% 13% customers 13% say it is definitely false. Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for 9

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 66% 22% most consumers Not practical in many parts of the 54% 11% country Strongly agree Promotion of solar 15% has resulted in 42% 17% wasteful govern- ment spending Inefficient source 48% say this is probably false; 29% 9% of energy 23% say it is definitely false. Strongly agree Not a reliable 50% say this is probably false; 7% 27% 13% source of energy 23% say it is definitely false. Voters’ Perceptions of Solar Energy/Solar Industry – September 2012 – Hart Research for 10

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.

HARTRESEARCH A S S O C I A T E S Voters’ Perceptions Of Solar Energy And The Solar Industry Key findings from online survey among voters nationwide Conducted September 2012 for 13