76 percent of voters and 87 percent of opinion leaders think their utility should deploy more solar power

ANAHEIM, Calif. - More than three-quarters of voters across party lines want to see their electric utilities invest more in solar energy - the most favored form of electricity among those polled -- and they want more action by the government to encourage the use of both large and small-scale solar power, according to fresh polling on peoples attitudes about energy.

The Global Strategy Group poll released today at Solar Power International, illustrates solar energys widespread appeal among voters and national support for pro-solar policies, such as net metering and renewable portfolio standards.

"Democrats, Republicans and Independents all said, everything being equal, they would vote against a politician who opposed solar power," said Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) president and CEO, Abigail Ross Hopper. "Politicians can take this to the bank - Americans will not stand for government or company policies that prevent them from accessing clean, renewable, job-producing, affordable power."

According to the poll, more than 70 percent of registered voters support both net metering and renewable portfolio standards of at least 50 percent by 2030. Nine out of 10 respondents also said that their power company should not be able to stop them from using solar energy.

The polling revealed that the most convincing arguments for going solar are that it emits less pollution leading to lower health risks than other forms of energy, that it creates economic and job growth, and that solar prices are dropping substantially, making it affordable for all Americans.

Support for solar was particularly strong with younger voters, men, Hispanics and opinion leaders. The data shows that more education and awareness leads to more favorable opinions about solar across the board, emphasizing the need to increase education about solar energy.

"The polling showed that the industry does have an opportunity to move the needle in its favor," said Andrew Baumann, senior vice president of Global Strategies Group. "Whether its support for pro-solar policies, a desire to invest in solar, or an interest taking actions to advancing solar deployment, peoples pro-solar opinions became stronger with better information."

To read the Global Strategy Group poll findings, go to www.seia.org/thisiswhy.

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About SEIA®:

Celebrating its 44th anniversary in 2018, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry, which now employs more than 250,000 Americans. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to build jobs and diversity, champion the use of cost-competitive solar in America, remove market barriers and educate the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.