Summary: When it comes to public surveys, analysts find few subjects that enjoy overwhelming support. Solar is an exception. To hear an analyst talk about the uniquely ubiquitous support for solar power, listen to the podcast below.An annual Solar Energy Industries Association poll conducted by Hart Research Associates has found that nine out of 10 likely voters think the U.S. should develop and use more solar energy. According to the findings, support for solar largely stems from its environmental benevolence and potential to displace foreign oil as an energy source.With the race for president in full swing, SEIA asked Hart to focus on capturing the opinion of likely voters. The firm found that support crosses party lines, too, with 84% of Republicans, 95% of independents, and 98% of Democrats agreeing that the U.S. should use more solar. The firm also found that 78% of voters say the government should provide tax credits and financial incentives to encourage the development and use of solar energy.“We looked at baseball, apple pie, chocolate – across the board -- and we couldn’t find anything else that’s more popular than solar,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA, in a conference call with reporters about the poll.But the poll, which was conducted online, indicated there are still lingering questions about the affordability of solar systems among the public. Resch says news about falling prices and rising efficiency may have yet to reach the average consumer, but large corporations are enthusiastically adopting solar technology every day.“The largest companies are finding it cost effective to move to solar,” he said. “Perhaps with the general public we need to do a better job, but the story is there.”In a conference call with reporters, Molly O'Rourke, a partner at Hart Research Associates, led reporters through a 13-slide presentation on the poll findings. The audio from the presentation is below, as a podcast, and the slides are available here. In the podcast, O'Rourke notes on which slide she is commenting.
