A survey conducted by CITE Research on behalf of Vivint Solar found 70% of Americans would support a nationwide mandate requiring solar panels to be installed on all newly built homes. CITE Research conducted a nationally representative online survey of 2,000 U.S. adults age 25 and up from June 13 to 16, 2019.
The survey also revealed significant others and environmental experts are the most influential when deciding to install residential solar for the good of the environment, while politicians are the least influential by far.
“California was the first state to pass a solar panel mandate on new homes and it goes into effect in 2020. We’ve seen that state often lead the way in establishing environmental practices nationwide,” said David Bywater, CEO of Vivint Solar, which has installed solar energy systems on more than 160,000 U.S. homes. “We believe more states will make strides to adopt residential solar requirements, and it’s great to see the vast majority of American adults support this, even at a nationwide mandate level.”
Among those who support a nationwide solar mandate, 32% said they strongly support it and 38% said they somewhat support it, while approximately 16% said they somewhat oppose it and 14% said they strongly oppose it. While there was no significant difference in attitudes between men and women, opinions varied based on region, age group, homeowner and relationship status varied. Results showed:
- Support for the measure is highest among younger adults and decreases with age. The most supportive group is those aged 25-34, with 74% in favor of it. This is followed by adults 35-44 (73%), 45-54 (71%), 55-64 (66%) and 65+ at 61% in favor.
- While support was strong across the country, those in the West were the most supportive with 72% in favor. This was closely followed by 71% in the Northeast, 68% in the South and 67% in the Midwest.
- When it comes to homeownership, 71% of non-homeowners support a nationwide solar mandate, with 36% saying they strongly support it. Among homeowners, 68% of them are supportive, with 29% saying they strongly support it.
- Relationship-wise, single survey takers showed more support for the solar mandate, with 73% of them in favor, compared to 68% of survey takers who are married or living with a partner.
As residential solar is currently optional for existing homeowners, survey takers were also asked who would most influence their decision to install solar panels on their home for the good of the environment. Spouses/significant others proved the most powerful force, with 58% of survey takers claiming they would be influenced by them (36% a great deal of influence, and 22% some influence). Environmental experts were the next most influential, with 57% saying they would be influenced by their opinion (28% a great deal of influence, 29% some influence).
Politicians are the least influential, with just 19% of people saying a political figure would influence their opinion to go solar for the environmental benefits (6% a great deal of influence, 13% some influence). And while politicians don’t rank highly overall, data shows the older you get, the less likely you are to be influenced by them. Among survey takers, the percentage who say politicians have no influence: 46% for those aged 25-34; 49% age 35-44; 59% age 45-54; 64% age 55-64, and 73% of those aged 65+. Comparatively, 29% of those 25-44 claimed politicians would have some or a great deal of influence, while only 7% of those 65+ stated the same.
Other solar decision influencers include friends (45% influenced by them), children (36%), other family members (36%) and parents (34%). Specific to children, the influence is greatest when they live in the home, where 22% of survey takers say their children have a great deal of influence, and 29% say they have some influence.
While partners had the most influence, whether or not the couple is married makes a difference. Seventy five-percent of people who are married or living together are influenced by their partner. However, married couples are more strongly influenced by their partner, with 51% stating their spouse had a great deal of influence. This is compared to unmarried partners living together, with just 45% saying their partner had a great deal of influence.
News item from Vivint Solar
Jeffrey Donaldson says
Having an associate degree in alternative energy and knowing the site requirements needed to make solar reliable this mandate would force some people to install solar where it just won’t work.
I work in the solar industry, 1st rule is be honest with people and explain how and why solar will or will not work at their particular location.
I live in Southeastern Ohio and getting a satellite signal is hard enough let alone enough sunshine to have solar reliable. Of course we cut down acres of trees down for solar arrays and this mandate to work but that would cause further problems to the environment.
Yes California leads the way, it is solar friendly site wise for many reasons. Not to mention the fact their forests are growing smaller by the year. Lets not get into that.
Most people think, “awe lets throw up a couple solar modules and power our house”. Takes more than that. Lets be honest up front. This survey was used to mislead people in it’s wording to want more solar. I also learned in college that you can make a survey or chart to support your theories but not be totally honest.
The solar industry like all industry wants to make money. So they pay for these fake/ theory leading/ mind washing surveys to support their agenda. Then find someone easily convinced to write an article supporting their twisted survey of 70% yes.
Actually here in Ohio, Wind works well in Northern Ohio with the flat lands and winds coming off Lake Erie. Southeastern Ohio with its forests and hills makes solar only available at select locations. Wind is broken up by the hills and trees also. Geothermal does however work well here. A site survey done properly will take in considerations of all forms of alternative energy, Solar wind, hydro, Geothermal.
Also installing LED lighting, heat on demand water heaters and insulating your home is the first steps in lowering on site energy needs.
So we can’t just MANDATE, solar on all new home builds nation wide. You can suggest it, not mandate it. Once people are shown and told honestly about how solar actually works, will it then start to be accepted and installed in the correct locations for ultimate reliability. Not by Industry wanting to just make money, Politicians to get votes, or bogus articles in solar mags.