Solar is easily the most popular energy source among Americans. And despite much of the noise in the press regarding California’s recent mandate that all newly built homes must come with rooftop solar, most Americans support such an idea for their own state.
A new poll released today by Morning Consult found that 32% of 2,201 adults polled expressed that they “somewhat” support mandatory solar on new homes in their state, with 31% strongly supporting it. That makes 63% that expressed some level of support.
11% somewhat opposed the measure, with another 11% strongly opposing it. 15% didn’t know or had no opinion.
The numbers were even stronger for Democrats, of which 73% expressed that they either “somewhat” or “strongly” support such a measure, but 57% of Republicans also expressed some degree of support, versus only 29% of Republicans in opposition.
Such cross-party support is notable. While Democrats frequently express stronger concern over climate change, Republican Mayor Rex Parris of Lancaster, California imposed the first rooftop solar mandate of any U.S. city in 2013.
In general younger respondents more strongly support mandatory solar on new homes, and those of who approve of Donald Trump’s job as president were less likely to support it, but such a mandate still won a majority of support across all demographic and political groups.
The analysis also shows a regional breakdown. While 61-64% of respondents in all regions expressed some level of support, those living in the West showed had the highest portion expressing strong support, at 35%, with those in the Northeast more tepid about the idea, with only 27% stating that they “strongly” support such a measure.
Another question was asked which specifically spelled out California’s policy and its likely financial impacts, and for this the responses were similar to the previous question.
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Please the correct title of the president of the United States. “President Trump” is the proper way to write his name. Shortening it to just “Trump” is lazy and disrespectful.
I suppose it is possible you intended it that way. I’d like to think it was just an oversight. Agree with him or not, you should respect the office. Thanks.
As your poll results show, you can just lump everyone into one political camp or the other because it just doesn’t tell the whole story. While I support President Trump, I also think solar power and electric vehicles are also the way to go. Not because of the false hype about climate change, but because using a limited supply of fuel will eventually become an issue with diminishing supply.
I own an electric car and soon I hope and solar/battery system. MAGA!
Hello Mr. Sunderland,
Please re-read this sentence. “President Trump’s job as president” is both redundant and awkward. When the job title follows the name in the sentence, we don’t put the title in front of it is as well. I’m sure that if you go back through our articles, you will also find references to “Barack Obama as president”.
I would hope that in the future you will learn more about style as it relates to written English before accusing journalists of being “lazy and disrespectful”.
You go Mike – I agree with your comments. Sometimes the Editor’s politics subversively show through although he doesn’t even recognize it, and he will aggressively defend his slips in some way…
I also support this wild eyed president and think that it is great how he offends all of the political sensitive people. We all need to be stirred up. And believe it or not, disagreement is healthy for a republic like ours to survive.
I earn my livelihood installing solar, I believe in it and actually own a Chevy Bolt – and am a CONSERVATIVE of all things! It can be done!
Of course most Americans support this, it is nothing but a win-win for energy prices (given a lack of tariffs), and a cleaner future for our country we need. Would like to see this mandate expand into progressive states, both east and west coast.