New national polling from the USA shows 9 out of 10 Americans support the use of solar energy and want to see more government money spent on developing a secure solar power industry.
The survey was conducted by independent firm Kelton Research for the 4th Annual Schott Solar Barometer (PDF), a poll that gauges America’s general attitude to solar power compared to traditional energy sources such as coal, gas and nuclear. For the fourth year running, the survey revealed around a 90 percent approval rating for the use of solar energy in the U.S.
Solar power was also the top energy choice to receive government support, with 39 percent of respondents saying they would financially back solar energy if they were in charge of U.S Energy Policy. Only three percent stated they would support coal-fired power.
8 out of 10 Americans (82 percent) would like to see the same federal incentives given to solar which the fossil fuel industry has been receiving for decades. This majority support crosses party political lines, with 72 percent of Republicans, 87 percent of Democrats and 82 percent of Independents agreeing the solar sector need more government attention in the form of tax credits and grants.
With the U.S economy languishing in the doldrums of a manufacturing slump, 82 percent of those polled said they thought it is “extremely important” or “somewhat important” that the government invest in home-grown solar manufacturing business right now.
Commenting on the poll, Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, pointed out that federal assistance schemes like the 1603 Treasury Loans Program (which provides funding for large-scale solar energy projects) has allowed the solar industry to double its workforce to 100,000 in the past two years.
“It’s clear that solar has the strong support of the American people. Now it needs the support of U.S. policymakers in extending job-creating policies like the 1603 program to make sure solar continues to work for America.”
