According to the 2011 Schott Solar Barometer, an annual survey conducted by independent polling firm Kelton Research, Americans are hot for solar power: “For the fourth consecutive year, the survey found that about nine out of 10 Americans (89 percent) think it is important for the United States to develop and use solar energy. Support for solar is strong across the political spectrum with 80 percent of Republicans, 90 percent of Independents and 94 percent of Democrats agreeing that it is important for the United States to develop and use solar.” Support for public incentives for solar is nearly as strong: “The survey also found that more than eight out of 10 Americans (82 percent) support federal tax credits and grants for the solar industry similar to those that traditional sources of energy like oil, natural gas and coal have received for decades. Seventy-one percent of Republicans agree, as well as 82 percent of Independents and 87 percent of Democrats.”
The New York Times points out key federal incentives for solar and wind energy that will expire at the end of 2011 and 2012, respectively, unless renewed by Congress.
--Reed McManus
Image: U.S. Department of Energy
