According to Applied Materials, 67 percent of the public would be willing to pay more for utility bills if more of their electricity was being derived from renewable sources. A total of 49 percent of consumers indicated they would be willing to pay $5 per month or more in higher utility bills in order to use more clean energy.
The poll also found that about two-thirds of the public believes that solar energy should play a greater role nationwide, and nearly three-quarters of those surveyed express support for making the nation less dependent on foreign oil and for renewable energy in general.
"Americans are becoming more aware of the need for responsible energy solutions, like solar power, and increasingly want their government to drive policy and investment aimed at finding alternative ways to power our homes and economy," said Dr. Charles Gay, president of Applied Solar, which is a division of Applied Materials.
The company released its annual survey to coincide with the summer solstice, which marks the longest day of the year for the sun shining in the sky.
