[The Vector] Summer Solstice Survey Reveals U.S. Consumers Want More Solar Energy
The company Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT), a leading supplier of solar panel manufacturing equipment, recently commissioned a new survey on solar energy to gauge the public’s current views and knowledge on the subject.
Here is what was revealed:
- About two-thirds of those surveyed strong agree that solar energy needs a greater role in the country’s energy picture.
- 67% said they were willing to invest in renewable energy, and 49% said they would be willing to pay $5 or more per month if their utility company increased its usage of renewable energy. In last year’s survey, only 35% said they would be willing to pay $5 or more.
- 73% said it was very important to decrease dependence on foreign oil, and 75% said it was important to increase renewable energy.
President of Applied Materials, Dr. Charles Gray, said, “Americans are becoming more aware of the need for responsible energy solutions, like solar power, and increasingly want their government to drive policy and investment. . . With the right energy legislation in place, the U.S. could reap the benefits of one of the biggest economic job engines of this century – the clean energy revolution.” (Press release, Business Wire, June 21st, 2010.)
The survey was conducted by Ketchum Global Research Network, sampled 1,000 American adults, and the survey was fielded by research company ORC between June 10 – 13th, 2010. The margin of error is +/- 3%.