For Immediate Release July 5, 2022

Poll: Georgians are concerned about electricity rate hikes and see solar as part of the solution. 
Eighty percent agree that the popular “monthly netting” program should be expanded. 

ATLANTA, GA — A new poll released [today] revealed Georgians are highly concerned about anticipated increases in their utility bills and see expanding local solar as part of the long-term solution. The poll also shows Georgians overwhelmingly support expanding a popular program that gives customers more credit for energy sent to the grid. This survey, providing state-wide data on how likely voters view rooftop solar, is sponsored by Georgia Solar Energy Association.

State-wide, the poll found that 74% of Georgia voters expressed concern about their personal utility bill increasing over the next year.  Almost half (45%) said they are “very concerned”. A solid majority (63%) feels that expanding local solar energy will help keep future utility costs lower in Georgia. When asked if the popular Georgia Power “monthly netting” program should be expanded, an overwhelming 80% said it should. 

"This poll demonstrates the lack of alignment between the desires of the people of Georgia and the current proposed Integrated Resource Plan,” said Don Moreland, Executive Director of Georgia Solar Energy Association. “Bringing the IRP into alignment with what Georgians want would result in more clean, renewable solar in the State."

The poll was conducted from June 21 through June 24, 2022 by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, Inc. A total of 625 registered Georgia voters were interviewed live by telephone state-wide, identifying as 38% Republican, 32% Democrat, and 30% as Independent or other. 

Those interviewed were randomly selected from a phone-matched Georgia voter registration list that included both land-line and cell phone numbers. Quotas were assigned to reflect voter registration by county. The margin for error, according to standards customarily used by statisticians, is no more than ± 4 percentage points. 

Among the specific findings from Georgia voters:

• 74% of Georgia voters are concerned that their personal utility bill will increase over the next year, with 45% very concerned. 

• 56% agree that as part of building a healthy balance of energy in Georgia, that homeowners and business owners should be encouraged to invest in rooftop solar.

• 71% of the respondents believe utilities should make it easier for their electric customers to use their own money to install rooftop solar.  

• 80% said that Georgia Power should expand the “monthly netting” program, currently capped to the first 5,000 customers. This program allows solar customers to get a dollar for dollar credit on their electric bill if their solar panels produce more energy than they use, creating additional electricity for the utility.

• 41% are less likely to re-elect a state legislator that voted for bills that would significantly raise the cost for customers to install solar panels on their rooftops.

• 63% feel that expanding local solar energy will help keep future utility costs lower for Georgia Power customers over the long term. 

"Solar energy is the cheapest source of electricity in history, and Georgian's clearly understand that for our State's utilities to ensure low-cost electricity for generations to come we need fair solar policies that encourage rapid clean energy adoption,” said Seth Gunning, Chair of GA Solar. 

The Georgia Solar Energy Association (GA Solar), is Georgia’s oldest and largest organization devoted exclusively to the benefits of solar energy for individuals, businesses and communities state-wide by offering resources, information and advocating policies that advance solar energy in Georgia.  A memorandum outlining the full results of the survey can be found here: GA Solar Poll Results.

Contact:

Don Moreland

[email protected]

(770) 548-2714