BOULDER, Colo. — Public attitudes toward clean energy concepts play an important role in determining the growth of these technologies, notes Navigant Research. Over the last few years, consumer attitudes have tended to fluctuate and, in several cases, decline. According to a new consumer survey from the research firm, favorable attitudes for a number of these concepts, including solar energy and wind energy, rebounded significantly from their 2012 levels.

The average favorability rating for the 10 concepts, which fall under the categories of clean energy, clean transportation, smart grid, and building efficiency, also rose, to 51 percent, the highest level seen in Navigant Research’s annual survey since 2010.

“Between 2009 and 2012, there were steady declines in favorability for some clean energy concepts, particularly the most favorable concepts, such as solar energy, wind energy, and hybrid and electric vehicles,” said Clint Wheelock, managing director with Navigant Research. “This year saw statistically significant increases in favorability for seven of the 10 concepts, and a decline for only one — nuclear power.”

The survey of 1,084 U.S. adults asked respondents to provide their level of favorability for the following concepts: solar energy, wind energy, nuclear power, hybrid vehicles, electric cars, natural gas vehicles, biofuels, smart grid, smart meters, and LEED certification.

The similarly high levels of favorable views toward solar and wind energy indicate that consumers are generally supportive of the more established renewable energies that harness naturally occurring power sources. Since these two concepts have retained their most favored status year after year, Navigant Research asserts that consumers consider these renewable energies to be important pieces in the power generation portfolio of the future.

The survey results are summarized in a free white paper, available here.

Publication date: 1/6/2014 

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