Nine in Ten Americans Think Solar Should Be a Bigger Part of the Country's Energy Supply

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new election cycle survey on clean energy, nine in ten (89%) U.S. adults agree that renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, should be a bigger part of America's energy supply in the future, according to a new Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Sungevity, a recognized global leader in the residential solar market.  The survey shows that America's commitment to solar is strong, with 80 percent of respondents expecting their elected officials to support solar energy initiatives and 81 percent believing, regardless of who is in office, the White House and other official federal and state residences should use solar energy.

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"The continued uptake of solar power can drive considerable economic growth for the American economy and provide critical long-term benefits to the environment," said Danny Kennedy, co-founder of Sungevity and author of new book, Rooftop Revolution, How Solar Power Can Save Our Economy – and Planet – From Dirty Energy. "It's clear that Americans support and see the bottom-line benefits of solar power.  I'd encourage anybody with an interest in saving money, creating jobs and powering their home with clean energy to discover the ease and affordability of incorporating solar energy into their daily lives."

Results of the Sungevity Solar Survey show many respondents see the economic and environmental benefits associated with the wider adoption of renewable energy, with 81 percent agreeing that reducing our dependency on coal, oil, nuclear energy and gas is the right thing to do for the environment and the economy.

Other key survey findings include:

• Financial Benefits Are Top Reason for Public Support -- Seven in ten (72%) say jobs created in the solar energy industry are better for our economy and our environment than jobs created in the coal, oil, nuclear and gas industries.  The majority of Americans (four out of five) believe that the increased use of solar power will reduce household energy costs and will help create local jobs.
• American Solar Energy Policies Would Lead to Household Savings -- Eight in ten (80%) adults agree that biggest benefits that would encourage support for solar energy are financial in nature, such as reduced energy costs (60%), decreased dependence on the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels (26%), federal/state tax credits (21%) and increased home value (12%).
• Consumer Education Is Necessary -- Many Americans are lacking information about solar energy, with 70% wishing they knew more about renewable energy sources and nearly half (48%) confused about solar energy options.
• Consumer Misperceptions On Solar Services Remain -- Adults are apprehensive to use solar energy due to the perceived stress of dealing with installation, such as updating electrical systems and dealing with zoning laws (47%).  Other reasons for not using solar energy include the belief it may not be available in their area (16%), it wouldn't generate enough energy (19%) or they may not live in a sunny location (12%).

"The survey makes it clear that solar companies must do a better job communicating how easy and affordable it is to incorporate solar power into your home," says Kennedy.  "Whether it's the ability to design a solar system through our Sungevity website or getting a system installed for no money down through our solar lease program, companies like Sungevity are trying to make the customer experience with going solar as easy as possible." 

About Sungevity

Sungevity's online iQuote process and solar lease program make it easy and affordable for homeowners to benefit from solar power. Leveraging web-based solar analytics and satellite imagery, Sungevity can deliver a firm quote within 24 hours without a home visit and provide homeowners with immediate savings on their electricity bills. This affordability and ease of use, combined with Sungevity's solar social network strategy, is all part of Sungevity's mission to accelerate solar into the mainstream. Aligned with Sungevity's mission and values, the company is recognized as a B Corp, a new type of corporation that harnesses the power of private enterprise to create public benefit for all stakeholders, not just shareholders. Sungevity was recognized by B Corp as one of the "Best for the World" companies for using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. For more information, visit www.sungevity.com.

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About Ipsos

Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals that helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world. Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.

About the Solar Survey

A national sample of 1,006 adults from Ipsos' U.S. online panel was interviewed online from September 13-17, 2012.  A survey with an un-weighted probability sample of this size and a 100 percent response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points 19 times out of 20.

SOURCE Sungevity