{"id":22983,"date":"2025-04-22T16:19:45","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T16:19:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=22983"},"modified":"2025-04-22T16:19:55","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T16:19:55","slug":"whats-driving-americans-to-embrace-solar-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/whats-driving-americans-to-embrace-solar-power\/","title":{"rendered":"What&#8217;s Driving Americans to Embrace Solar Power?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">A study from The Ohio State University highlights that financial savings are the main reason U.S. adults are willing to adopt solar power, whether through rooftop panels or community solar programs. The research also identified a significant lack of awareness about community solar options.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Financial savings are the primary motivator for U.S. adults considering solar power adoption, according to new research from The Ohio State University. The study, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2214629625001033\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in the journal Energy Research &amp; Social Science, indicates that saving on utility bills and avoiding electricity rate hikes are key drivers behind the willingness to install rooftop solar panels or subscribe to community solar programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The researchers conducted a nationwide survey to measure consumer perceptions of both rooftop and community solar energy. While past studies have explored rooftop solar views, this is the first to assess public opinion on accessing community solar power for household use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The findings suggest that policymakers and industry leaders should emphasize the practical benefits of solar energy in their marketing campaigns to boost residential adoption. Financial savings and property value improvement without significant risk emerged as critical factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEmphasizing the practical benefits of adopting solar, whether it\u2019s rooftop or community, might be the most effective avenue to achieve increased adoption in the real world,\u201d first author Naseem Dillman-Hasso, a doctoral candidate in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State, said in a news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A significant insight from the study was the lack of public understanding of community solar, demonstrated by the fact that most participants had not explored it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Senior author Nicole Sintov, an associate professor of behavior, decision making and sustainability at Ohio State, emphasized the need for increased awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCommunity solar is a great option for people who are unable to access rooftop solar,\u201d Sintov said in the news release. \u201cWe show that there are still some significant barriers to entry, and we\u2019ve got to start with letting people know what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Community solar, which enables multiple customers within a defined geographical area to receive credit on their electricity bills for energy produced by an off-site solar array, offers a viable alternative for those who cannot install rooftop panels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the study revealed that participants were less willing to consider subscribing to community solar compared to rooftop installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou don\u2019t want to adopt something that you don\u2019t know about,\u201d added Dillman-Hasso. \u201cGiven the realities of community solar having much lower barriers to adoption &#8212; you don\u2019t need financing and you don\u2019t have to physically put panels on your roof &#8212; it was interesting to see that the willingness to adopt community solar was lower than rooftop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This indicates a substantial knowledge gap and potential apprehension about newer electricity distribution methods. Sintov advocates for enhanced efforts to raise awareness about community solar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn this case, lack of awareness is a barrier, and I think both policymakers and entities that are trying to sell community solar plans could be working toward raising awareness,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study assessed a sample of 1,433 U.S. adults, asking about their willingness to adopt solar and their engagement in actions such as researching options or contacting industry experts. Respondents evaluated statements representing practical, symbolic and environmental attributes related to solar adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Statistical analysis showed that positive perceptions of all three attributes increased respondents&#8217; willingness to adopt solar energy. However, practical benefits, particularly financial savings, were the strongest predictors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As of 2022, only 8% of U.S. homeowners had installed rooftop solar panels, according to the Pew Research Center. Installation costs, after application of a federal tax credit, range between $17,000 and $23,000 on average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Ohio State study highlights the necessity of educating the public about community solar and its benefits, indicating a need for targeted outreach to overcome adoption barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:14px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/news.osu.edu\/in-us-saving-money-is-top-reason-to-embrace-solar-power\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">The Ohio State University<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Financial savings are the primary motivator for U.S. adults considering solar power adoption, according to new research from The Ohio State University. The study, published in the journal Energy Research &amp; Social Science, indicates that saving on utility bills and avoiding electricity rate hikes are key drivers behind the willingness to install rooftop solar panels [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[57],"class_list":["post-22983","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-climate-and-environment","tag-ohio-state-university"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Financial savings are the primary motivator for U.S. adults considering solar power adoption, according to new research from The Ohio State University. The study, published in the journal Energy Research &amp; Social Science, indicates that saving on utility bills and avoiding electricity rate hikes are key drivers behind the willingness to install rooftop solar panels&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22983","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22983"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22983\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22999,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22983\/revisions\/22999"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22983"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22983"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22983"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}