Massachusetts Solar Survey
PRINCETON RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
Massachusetts Public Opinion
70 Main Street, Princeton, MA 01541
Princetonresearchassociates.com
SOLAR SURVEY 2
N=500 super voters
Margin of error +/-5%
Field Dates: Dec 5-9, 2013
1. Generally speaking, how concerned are you about the cost of electricity?
| June 13 | Dec 9 |
1. Very | 36% | 39% |
2. Somewhat | 43% | 46% |
3. Not very | 7% | 5% |
4. Not at all | 12% | 8% |
5. DK/ref | 2% | 2% |
2. How important is the solar power industry to the Massachusetts economy?
| June 13 | Dec 9 |
1. Very | 27% | 40% |
2. Somewhat | 30% | 27% |
3. Not very | 21% | 17% |
4. Not at all | 9% | 8% |
5. DK/ref | 11% | 8% |
3. Do you know anyone who works in the renewable energy industry – as a researcher, installer, electrician, manufacturer, or other job?
| June 13 | Dec 9 |
1. Yes | 12% | 17% |
2. No | 68% | 65% |
3. Not sure | 20% | 18% |
4. Do you have solar panels at your home or place of residence?
| June 13 | Dec 9 |
1. Yes | 5% | 9% |
2. No | 95% | 91% |
5. How about your city or town, has it installed solar systems at schools, public buildings or landfill sites?
| June 13 | Dec 9 |
1. Yes | 48% | 32% |
2. No | 29% | 35% |
3. Not sure | 13% | 33% |
5. DK/ref | 10% | 0% |
IF YES:
6. How would you describe the benefits to your city or town in terms of tax revenue, energy savings or land use? Are they very significant, somewhat significant, not very significant or not significant at all?
1. Very significant | 16% | Very + Somewhat | 57% |
2. Somewhat significant | 41% |
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3. Not very significant | 21% | Not Very or Not Significant | 40% |
4. Not significant at all | 19% |
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5. Don’t know | 3% |
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7. When considering the cost of solar power in comparison to other resources, such as oil and gas, is the cost of generating solar energy more expensive, less expensive or about the same cost of these fuels?
| June 13 | Dec 9 |
1. More expensive | 16% | 15% |
2. Less expensive | 34% | 39% |
3. About the same | 40% | 35% |
4. DK/ref | 10% | 11% |
8. Now I’m going to read you two statements people have made about who benefits from government support for solar power systems and see which one you agree with most? (READ & ROTATE)
STATEMENT 1
The only people who benefit from tax credits and other subsidies for solar power systems are those who can afford to install these systems in their homes or businesses.
STATEMENT 2
Everyone benefits from tax credits and other subsidies for solar power systems because, as solar power becomes more widely available, it will reduce everyone’s energy costs.
1. Those who can afford | 26% |
2. Everyone | 42% |
3. Neither | 21% |
4. Don’t Know | 12% |
Recently, Gov Patrick quadrupled the state’s solar power generation goal. Some folks think requiring utilities to provide that much solar power will increase electric rates significantly. Others say that in the long term it will bring electric rates down as well as create economic development benefits that come with clean energy.
9. How strongly do you support Gov Patrick decision to quadruple the state’s solar power generation goal from 400 MW to 1600 MW, which is the equivalent of one large fossil fuel plant?
1. Very strongly support | 33% | Very + Somewhat support | 59% |
2. Somewhat strongly support | 26% |
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3. Somewhat strongly oppose | 14% | Very + Somewhat oppose | 32% |
4. Very strongly oppose | 18% |
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5. Don’t know | 9% |
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10. How much have you heard about solar power systems receiving credits for putting extra power back on the grid, a policy known as net metering?
Net metering is a state policy to help homeowners, schools, communities and businesses adopt solar energy. It allows solar energy systems to receive a financial credit for their extra power, which they can sell back to the utility at the same rate.
1. Quite a bit | 26% |
2. Some | 28% |
3. Not much | 30% |
4. Nothing | 12% |
5. Don’t know | 4% |
11. Given what you know about net metering, how strongly do you support it? Would that be…
1. Very strongly support | 27% | Very + Somewhat support | 54% |
2. Somewhat strongly support | 27% |
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3. Somewhat strongly oppose | 13% | Very + Somewhat oppose | 22% |
4. Very strongly oppose | 9% |
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5. Don’t know | 24% |
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12. The cap on how many solar energy systems can use net metering has almost been reached, how strongly would you support increasing the cap? Would that be…
1. Very strongly support | 35% | Very + Somewhat support | 59% |
2. Somewhat strongly support | 24% |
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3. Somewhat strongly oppose | 10% | Very + Somewhat oppose | 20% |
4. Very strongly oppose | 10% |
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5. Don’t know | 21% |
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13. The State has a goal of 1600 MW of solar energy by 2020. Solar energy supporters want to set the net metering cap to 1600 MW as well. Would you support or oppose raising the MA cap to 1600 MW and would that be…
1. Very strongly support | 28% | Very + Somewhat support | 55% |
2. Somewhat strongly support | 27% |
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3. Somewhat strongly oppose | 11% | Very + Somewhat oppose | 22% |
4. Very strongly oppose | 11% |
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5. Don’t know | 23% |
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Utilities are concerned about net metering. Energy bills have two parts, the cost of energy and the cost to distribute the energy over the electric grid, which includes the poles, wires, and maintenance.
The utilities say that solar energy systems pay little or no distribution costs to the utilities but the utilities are still required to provide energy to solar systems at night or as back up. Utilities argue that net metering, which is used by consumers with incomes high enough to purchase a solar energy system, will result in higher distribution costs for non solar system users especially urban consumers.
Solar providers say their own personal investments as well as town and city investments produce additional electricity when and where it’s needed most. Excess solar power is resold by the utility to nearby energy customers and thereby saves the utilities from costly peak power generation and avoids costly transmission grid upgrades, which, in turn, lowers costs for all customers.
14. Now that you have heard both sides, let me again ask you again how strongly would you support expanded net metering in Massachusetts?
1. Very strongly support | 25% | Very + Somewhat support | 55% |
2. Somewhat strongly support | 30% |
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3. Somewhat strongly oppose | 10% | Very + Somewhat oppose | 23% |
4. Very strongly oppose | 13% |
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5. Don’t know | 23% |
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DEMOGRAPHICS
15. Are you or is anyone in your immediate family a member of a labor union or teacher’s union?
1. Yes, self only | 12% |
2. Yes, family member only | 16% |
3. Yes, both self and family member | 9% |
4. No | 64% |
16. How would you describe yourself politically: Are you liberal, moderate, or conservative? (IF LIBERAL/CONSERVATIVE ASK: "Is that very liberal/conservative or just somewhat?")
1. Very liberal | 17% |
2. Somewhat liberal | 20% |
3. Moderate | 28% |
4. Somewhat conservative | 17% |
5. Very conservative | 13% |
6. Don’t know | 5% |
17. With which ethnic group do you identify yourself: White or European, Black or African-American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian or Pacific Islander, or some other ethnic or racial background?
1. Hispanic/Latino | 3% |
2. White | 70% |
3. Black/African-American | 8% |
4. Asian/Pacific Islander | 2% |
5. OTHER | 8% |
6. Don’t know | 9% |
18. Which age category best describes you?
1. 35 and under | 19% |
2. 36-45 | 21% |
3. 46-55 | 22% |
4. 56-65 | 19% |
5. Over 65 | 19% |
19. Education
1. Less than high school | 2% |
2. High School or GED | 13% |
3. Some college | 23% |
4. Bachelor’s Degree | 26% |
5. Graduate Degree | 35% |
20. Which of the following ranges best describes your annual household income, is it:
1. Less than $10,000 | 6% |
2. Between $10,000 and $24,999 | 9% |
3. Between $25,000 and $49,999 | 17% |
4. Between $50,000 and $99,999 | 29% |
5. Between $100,000 and $149,999 | 11% |
6. Between $150,000 and $199,999 | 4% |
7. $200,000 or more | 6% |
8. Refused | 17% |
21. GENDER: (ASK ONLY IF NECESSARY)
1. Male | 48% |
2. Female | 52% |
22. REGISTRATION:
1. D | 32% |
2. R | 11% |
3. U | 51% |