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Study: California homeowners want solar power

May 12, 2008

Building Design and Construction

Research released by the California Energy Commission shows that in the face of rising energy costs, the majority of new and potential home buyers in California are looking for energy efficiency when purchasing a new home.

The study is part of the New Solar Homes Partnership, a 10-year program initiated by the California Energy Commission to encourage the installation of solar electric power in new home construction in the state. Commissioned in January 2007, the study assesses new home buyers' awareness of and feelings about energy efficient and solar home features.

Conducted by research firm Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates (FMM&A), the study's key findings suggest that:

· More than half of recent or prospective California home buyers would purchase a new energy efficient solar home in order to save money on monthly electric bills

· Nearly three out of four - 74 percent - believe homebuilders in the state should make rooftop solar electric systems a standard feature

· 88 percent say the high cost of electricity has now become an important factor in their home buying decisions

· 86 percent of those surveyed say using these systems is "the right thing to do" and "helps to reduce smog and global warming gases"

· The most likely solar electric purchasers are younger (ages 18-49) college-educated homebuyers and those tending to see themselves as environmentalists and moderate to liberal in political outlook

For further information, download the full New Construction Home Buyers Market Research Summary Report by visiting the Go Solar California Web site at www.gosolarcalifornia.org or at:

http://www.energy.ca.gov/2008publications/CEC-180-2008-003/CEC-180-2008-003.PDF