According to a new survey from Pike Research, consumer support for renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, is extremely high. The survey, which studied more than 1,000 U.S. adults, found that 79% of consumers have a favorable view of solar energy, and 75% have a favorable view of wind energy. In terms of overall support, these were the top two highest ranked areas in a survey that asked consumers about their views on 12 energy and environmental concepts.

The percentages of survey respondents stating that they had either a “very favorable” or “favorable” view for each of the 12 concepts were as follows:

• Solar energy: 79%
• Wind energy: 75%
• Hybrid vehicles: 64%
• Electric cars: 57%
• Biofuels: 47%
• Clean coal: 47%
• Nuclear power: 42%
• Smart meters: 37%
• Smart grid: 37%
• Carbon offsets/credits: 24%
• LEED certification: 19%
• Cap and trade: 15%

Cap and Trade and Nuclear Power were tied in terms of the largest percentage of “strongly unfavorable” or “somewhat unfavorable” views from survey participants, each with a 19% unfavorable rating, followed closely by Carbon Offsets/Credits with 18%. LEED Certification, the green building certification program administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, suffered from a very low level of familiarity among respondents; 53% stated that they were unfamiliar with the program, the lowest level of familiarity of any of the 12 energy and environment concepts.

For further details or a copy of the report, call (303) 997-4619 or visit www.pikeresearch.com.