Survey: Solar Gaining Consumer Steam

Starting next year, California will mandate solar panels on every new home built. This has been coming for years and—according to a new report from business communications company G&S—one for which many consumers are actively clamoring. 

In its annual Sense & Sustainability Study, researchers surveyed over 1,300 U.S. adults to gauge consumer attitudes on social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and institutional accountability regarding those matters. G&S included a section specific to the construction industry in the report. Here are three highlights from that section:

Solar power is building steam—Forty percent of respondents said flatly that solar power and renewable energy used in homes and buildings is seen by U.S. adults as a way to improve not only daily lives, but the communities in which people live them. 

Smart tech improves lives—When asked about the usefulness of smart devices and building controls that adjust settings based on consumption of water, power, and other resources, more than a quarter (27%) of respondents claimed those devices improved their daily lives. 

Remodelers need to communicate better—Thirty-six percent of respondents said that home and building companies do not do a good job of explaining how they’re operating as an ethical and environmentally responsible business. Twenty-three percent said they didn’t know if they were doing a good job (which isn’t a great sign either).