Navigant: Public support for solar hits five-year high, wind support also strong in survey

By: InnovatioNews Friday April 4, 2014 0 comments Tags: Boulder, cleantech, Clint Wheelock, Navigant Research, solar energy, wind energy

BOULDER - A survey by Navigant Research reveals public support for solar energy has rebounded after five  years of decline, rising to 79 percent of more than 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed last fall.

Navigant said that's almost as high as the 81 percent of respondents who had a favorable view of solar energy in 2009.

The Navigant survey also noted the average favorability rating for 10 key clean energy concepts also climbed to 51 percent of those interviewed, the highest level since a 2010 survey.

The concepts included solar energy, wind energy, nuclear power, hybrid vehicles, electric cars, natural gas vehicles, biofuels, smart grids, smart meters and LEED certification.

"Solar energy is one of the most popular and least controversial green technologies in the eyes of consumers," said Clint Wheelock, Navigant's managing director.

"But it is followed closely by wind energy, which gained a favorable response from 72 percent of Americans."

A full copy of the white paper, "Energy and Environment Consumer Survey," is available for free download on the Navigant website.