Published on Monday, Dec 19 2011 by John Woods
A recent YouGov poll has revealed that consumers are keen supporters of renewable energy, including solar and wind power, and that climate change and related environmental issues are top of the agenda for many.
The poll, which was carried out on behalf of the Sunday Times newspaper, found that, out of the 1,696 respondents, more than half of them – 56 per cent – were keen to see increased wind power being put into practice in the UK.
An even higher number – 74 per cent – reported that they wanted to see solar energy capacity in the country increased. Just 12 per cent said that they did not want to see the use of
solar panels in the UK increased.
Sixty-seven per cent of poll respondents said that they believed
solar power was a ‘realistic way of combating climate change.’
Public opinion correlated the beliefs of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), who have confirmed that they feel solar will be the world’s largest power source over the coming 50 years.
Director of policy at trade body RenewableUK, Dr Gordon Edge, said, “This poll demonstrates that even in difficult economic times, the public understands why the expansion of wind power is important - to secure jobs, enhance energy security and reduce our reliance on expensive fossil fuels.”
The chairman of one UK-based solar firm, STA, said that the poll revealed the sheer strength of feeling as regards solar power.
Howard Johns told Environment UK, “Now we know three quarters of the public want to see more solar power. That's not a surprise because everyday people get how empowering and exciting this technology is. Central government needs to catch up and take immediate steps to secure our industry. The public want to see more solar power,” he added.
When the respondents were questioned about other forms of power, including coal and oil power stations, a minority believed that they should be expanded in the future.
A tiny 10 per cent reported that they thought nuclear power was what the UK should be using to meet energy needs in the future, whilst 16 per cent said that they felt fossil fuel power stations should be grown in the UK.
In contrast, more than half of poll respondents said that such power stations should be ‘considerably scaled back.’
Another UK-based solar power company, Solar Panels Direct, said that the poll showed ‘pleasing positivity.’
“There are a lot of people who think that the environment should be way down on the agenda behind the economy, but actually renewable energy is an important part of the economy.
"It's not just consumers who have benefited from have renewable technologies fitted in the form of free electricity, hot water, and Solar
Feed In Tariff payments, but also local businesses who have been able to employ more staff and grow their companies during tough economic times,” the firm’s spokesperson went on to say.
To read more about the use of solar power to provide the UK's energy needs, visit the
Energy Saving Trust website.
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