Posted by Brian Berg Google+
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This database contains names and addresses where the residential home has PV (Photovoltaic) solar panels installed on the home/property. With the continued and rising demand for this type of alternative energy, this database enables mailers to pinpoint early adopters, green minded, and people are actively saving money on their household utilities.
The people who invest in solar power are your typical tree-hugging, left-learning, well-to-do ex-hippies right? Wrong! One Block Off the Grid surveyed 200 solar panel buyers and here’s what they found:
1 – They Don’t Do It for the Environment
Yeah, saying the work is nice, but the majority of polled homeowners who went solar did it for the money. Without the economic benefit of going solar, nearly 3 in 4 homeowners say they wouldn’t have done it. In fact, 74% said they did it primarily as an economic benefit.
2 – They’re Not All That Liberal
Ultra conservatives and ultra-liberals alike go solar, but the average solar homeowner is nearly the textbook definition of “middle of the road”, on a spectrum ranging from Extremely Liberal to Extremely Conservative.
3- They’re Not Rich
They’re actually penny pinchers. The average solar homeowner had a combined household income between $75K and $100K when they decided to go solar – well below the $150K level that most Americans consider “wealthy”.
4 – They’re Mostly Guys
Despite their heavy role in most major purchases and a track record of ingenuity when it comes to money-saving strategies for the household, women are strangely underrepresented when it comes to buying or leasing solar.
Among married couples of the opposite sex, within 68% of the households, the man was the first person to consider looking into going solar, while 77% of the households, the man was the person who did most of the footwork to make it happen.
Why it’s So Surprising
77% of women take primary or equal responsibility for paying their electricity bills.
97% of women are conserving electricity in their homes in a variety of ways, from turning down the thermostat to buying energy-efficient appliances.
90% of women think solar should play a very or somewhat important role in our country’s energy future.
5 – They’re Really into Cars
Solar homeowners love their gadgets – especially their rides. One of the most surprising things about the responses is how many people mention their love of cars. With a home solar system, people are powering their electric cars for free or feeling better about offsetting their gas-guzzlers.
44% of solar homeowners say they’re “tech/gadget crazy”
Real Solar Owners Say:
“I have a drag race car, a four-wheel drive, a V8 Jeep hot rod, and a speedboat – all petrochemical swillers.”
“Our solar panels ultimately charge our electric car, so it essentially costs zero dollars for us to drive.”
“I drag race and build race cars.”
“I’m a motorhead, very interested in cars and motorcycles, working on them, watching them race, understanding the technology. I got the solar in order to fuel my electric vehicles.”
“I can use it as carbon offset to driving my truck.”
“Auto racing is in my blood, and I invest in oil and gas companies.”
6 – They like to Crank the A/C
Solar homeowners love to indulge. They crank the A/C in the summer guilt-free and without worry about what they’ll pay at the end of the month.
Real Solar Owners Say:
“My husband likes his air conditioning in the summer, which gave us the extra incentive to purchase the solar panels.”
“The size of the solar was based on a year when summer was hot, running our old A/C. We spend less kWh in the summer and the unused accumulated kWh are used in the winter to provide heat.”
“I no longer bug my wife about running A/C in the summer or leaving the lights on…and I secretly appreciate turning A/C on in the summer more often too.”
“Nice to keep the air conditioning running and not feel guilty.”
7 – 18 Percent Have Been in the Military
Nearly a third of solar homeowners consider themselves resourceful, ready-for-anything types. That makes sense considering roughly one in five have served in a branch of the U.S. military.
8- They’re Somewhat Religious
Atheists and evangelicals both love solar, but the average solar homeowner is, once again, noticeably moderate in his or her beliefs. On the religious spectrum from “not at all” to “extremely” religious, most solar homeowners place themselves nearly in the middle of the road at “a little religious/spiritual.”
9 – They’re Crushing Wall Street
In a time when many investors are struggling to find ways of earning even a 2 or 3 percent rate of return, a high ratio of people who bought solar say they’re using their solar system to get returns twice and even three times as high. Note, rates of return vary depending on current cost of electricity and other factors.
The Average electricity bill before was $177, while the average after solar installation is $55, with an annual savings of $1,471.
Real Solar Owners Say:
“I figured I’m earning about 8% on my investment. And it’s tax free! Where can you get that rate now?”
“We figured the one sure thing in life was that the electricity rates would not go down over time. It was a good investment.”
Why wouldn’t I want to invest in something that returns at least 16 percent on my money, year in and year out?”
“My solar system will pay itself off in 5-6 years. Then the savings will help fund my children’s college education.”
Sources: One Block Off the Grid Poll Data, Gallup, Politico, Women Impacting Public Policy, Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment.