April 1, 2014 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

U.S. consumer favorability for 10 concepts -- including solar energy, wind energy, hybrid vehicles, and electric cars -- has rebounded, according to a national annual consumer survey. Navigant Research has conducted this survey to gauge public perceptions of energy and environmental concepts since 2009.

Of particular interest, the survey found that overall impressions of solar energy are increasingly positive among 79 percent of respondents. Positive sentiments had dropped since 2009 when 81 percent of the respondents had a favorable view of solar energy but now appear to be on an upswing.

"Solar energy is one of the most popular and least controversial green technologies in the eyes of consumers," said Clint Wheelock, managing director with Navigant Research. "But it is followed closely by wind energy, which gained a favorable response from 72 percent of Americans."

The average favorability rating for the 10 survey concepts (including wind energy, nuclear power, hybrid vehicles, electric cars, natural gas vehicles, biofuels, smart grid, smart meters and LEED certification) rose to 51 percent -- the highest level since 2010. Specifically, favorable views increased in regard to alternative fuel vehicles, including hybrid vehicles (67 percent), electric cars (61 percent), and natural gas vehicles (56 percent).

For more:
- see the survey results

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http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/positive-clean-energy-sentiments-upswing/2014-04-01