More than three-quarters of voters across party lines want to see their electric utilities invest more in solar energy – the most favored form of electricity among those polled -- and want more action by the government to encourage the use of both large and small-scale solar power, according a poll released by the Global Strategy Group, New York. The poll illustrates solar energy’s widespread appeal among voters and national support for pro-solar policies, such as net metering and renewable portfolio standards.
 
“Democrats, Republicans and Independents all said, everything being equal, they would vote against a politician who opposed solar power,” says Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Washington, D.C. “Politicians can take this to the bank – Americans will not stand for government or company policies that prevent them from accessing clean, renewable, job-producing, affordable power.”
 
According to the poll, more than 70% of registered voters support both net metering and renewable portfolio standards of at least 50% by 2030. Nine out of 10 respondents also said that their power company should not be able to stop them from using solar energy.
 
Support for solar was particularly strong with younger voters, men, Hispanics and opinion leaders.
 
“The polling showed that the industry does have an opportunity to move the needle in its favor,” says Andrew Baumann, senior vice president of Global Strategies Group. “Whether it’s support for pro-solar policies, a desire to invest in solar or an interest taking actions to advancing solar deployment, people’s pro-solar opinions became stronger with better information.”