Introduction

Most people can recite several benefits of renewable energy, but only the most measurable benefit, the dollar impact on today's bills, is used in most cost/benefit analyses. For example, if a home solar PV system has a total cost of $9,000 and is expected to reduce todays' utility bill by an average of $100 per month, the payback period will simply be calculated to be 90 months.

A payback period of 5 to 10 years is typical for this type of system, and on this basis alone the investment is difficult to justify. Long payback periods are probably the single most important reason that renewable energy has not achieved wider adoption.

In fact, there are quite a few benefits to renewable energy, but most are difficult to quantify. The purpose of this survey is to explore a broader view of the benefits as they apply to YOUR circumstances and personal values. The survey questions are oriented towards a personal residence that currently takes it's energy from a local utility, but with minor adjustments this survey could be applied to a vehicle or a business.

Your votes will be averaged with all other responses, and you will be able to see how your votes compare to others that have participated in this survey. Your votes will be kept completely private and anonymous (more info on privacy).

Survey

On a scale of 0 to 10, how important are each of the following benefits to you, when considering a renewable energy system?

("0" = not important at all; "10" = critically important)

	Today's Bill - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Saving money on my current utility bill
	Escalating Costs - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Reducing my exposure to rising costs as they affect my current bills
	Environment - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Doing my part to reduce my impact on the environment
	Energy Security - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Doing my part to reduce my country's economic dependency on foreign sources
	Self Sufficiency - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Reducing my family's dependency on public utilities
	Assisting Grid - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Doing my part to help my local utility during peak loads, to help keep power available to critical public services
	Home Value - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Improving the market value of my home
	Edification - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Learning by doing, about the different ways I use energy and the alternative methods that can supply my needs
	Comfort - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Improving the overall comfort of my home
	New Industries - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Doing my part to support the growth of new jobs, new industries and new technologies in a "new energy" economy
	Setting an Example - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Setting a good example for my family, friends and community