Favorable Consumer Attitudes toward Clean Energy Have Rebounded Significantly in the Last Year, According to Navigant Research Survey

[January 02, 2014]

Favorable Consumer Attitudes toward Clean Energy Have Rebounded Significantly in the Last Year, According to Navigant Research Survey

BOULDER, Colo. --(Business Wire)--

Public attitudes toward clean and renewable energy concepts play an important role in determining the growth of these technologies. Over the last few years, consumer attitudes toward these concepts have tended to fluctuate and, in several cases, decline. Click to tweet: According to a new consumer survey from Navigant Research, favorable attitudes for a number of these concepts, particularly solar energy, wind energy, hybrid vehicles, and electric cars, 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.

The survey results are summarized in a free white paper, which is available for download on the Navigant Research website.

"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," says 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 was conducted in the fall of 2013, and asked respondents to provide their level of favorability for the following key concepts:

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Solar energy

Wind energy

Nuclear power

Hybrid vehicles

Electric cars

Natural gas vehicles

Biofuels

Smart grid

Smart meters

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 white paper, "Energy and Environment Consumer Survey", analyzes the survey responses as a basis for comparing consumer views of 10 energy and environment topics to one another. In addition to favorable and unfavorable opinions, the number of respondents unfamiliar with a concept is also considered in order to compare the level of consumer awareness within each topic. The study includes charts summarizing the survey results, along with demographic breakouts for each clean energy topic. A full copy of the white paper is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.

About Navigant Research

Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often highly regulated industries. In the energy sector, Navigant Research focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about global clean technology markets. The team's research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Utilities, Smart Transportation, and Smart Buildings sectors. Additional information about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.

About Navigant

Navigant is a specialized, global expert services firm dedicated to assisting clients in creating and protecting value in the face of critical business risks and opportunities. Through senior level engagement with clients, Navigant professionals combine technical expertise in Disputes and Investigations, Economics, Financial Advisory and Management Consulting, with business pragmatism in the highly regulated Construction, Energy, Financial Services and Healthcare industries to support clients in addressing their most critical business needs. More information about Navigant can be found at www.navigant.com.

* The information contained in this press release concerning the report, "Energy and Environment Consumer Survey," is a summary and reflects Navigant Research's current expectations based on market data and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the report's conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither Navigant Research nor Navigant undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report.